Made Kombucha With Left Over Elderberries

kbmbillups1
kbmbillups1 Posts: 1,391 ✭✭✭✭✭

I made elderberry syrup for Christmas gifts and froze the leftover berries. I think I saw on here a post about using the spent berries in different things so I figured why not give it a try. I had a sinus thing that just wouldn't leave so I thought maybe this will help.

I mixed them with either blackberries or raspberries. The kombucha turned out very dark with a bit of elderberry flavor. Took a little getting used to but now we like it.

It turned out to be a great way to use the leftover berries.

Has anyone else used them in other ways?

With Elderberries and without. Raspberries in both.


Comments

  • Michelle D
    Michelle D Posts: 1,465 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I like the idea of using the spent berries. Thanks for sharing your results @kbmbillups1

  • LaurieLovesLearning
    LaurieLovesLearning Posts: 7,576 admin

    @kbmbillups1 I hadn't thought of that. I just gave mine to my birds.

  • water2world
    water2world Posts: 1,177 ✭✭✭✭

    @kbmbillups1 I also freeze my spent berries and have to admit that sprinkled over vanilla ice cream makes a very tasty snack! I told my hubby---well, it's good for you! lol

  • kbmbillups1
    kbmbillups1 Posts: 1,391 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @water2world That sounds good!!

  • marjstratton
    marjstratton Posts: 1,132 ✭✭✭✭

    I have a lot of spent elderberries that I had used to make a tincture. Hated to throw the spent berries away (in the compost) so I have been putting them into a tea ball and making tea with them. Making kombucha sounds like a great idea. Feeding them to the birds sounds good too.

  • kbmbillups1
    kbmbillups1 Posts: 1,391 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @marjstratton Making tea with them sounds good too!

  • LaurieLovesLearning
    LaurieLovesLearning Posts: 7,576 admin

    @marjstratton I figured if anything immune system supporting was left in them, my chickens, etc. could certainly benefit. Considering that I can't free range them either, this gave them a very natural treat as well.

    I tend to give "leftovers" from most herbal tinctures to them.

  • marjstratton
    marjstratton Posts: 1,132 ✭✭✭✭

    Great use for those "leftovers". Unfortunately for me, I don't have chickens at the present time.

  • Cornelius
    Cornelius Posts: 872 ✭✭✭✭

    This is definitely a new flavor I will have to try!

  • annbeck62
    annbeck62 Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭✭

    Did you use them in the second ferment or instead of (or combined with) the sweet tea? What about the taste did you have to get used to, sour, bitter, astringent, or something else?

  • nicksamanda11
    nicksamanda11 Posts: 755 ✭✭✭✭

    I make a tea with the second round.

  • kbmbillups1
    kbmbillups1 Posts: 1,391 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @annbeck62 I put them in the second ferment with the raspberries. I wasn't sure what to expect but couldn't wait to try it. The flavor was definitely elderberry, but it wasn't as strong as the syrup I'd made. We did have to get used to it, but it didn't take long. It wasn't sour or bitter just lightly elderberry. I make my kombucha lightly sweet which is why I add the fruit in the second ferment. We drank it all, so it was pretty good!

  • Sheila
    Sheila Posts: 108 ✭✭✭

    Rumtopf would be a good one as well. We keep a crock that we layer fruits and berries through spring, summer and fall with sugar and rum. You need about 8 oz of sugar and a bottle of rum 80 proof or better for each pound of fruit as the fruit needs to stay submerged in the alcohol/sugar mixture to prevent moulding. We serve it over ice cream or grilled pound cake for a dessert with a kick :) You can add nuts and pretty much any fruit or berry. The only one I don't like is banana - it goes mushy and basically overpowers everything else. Because we eat this through the year and just keep adding rum and fruit it is constantly changing and no month is the same as the previous one.

  • kbmbillups1
    kbmbillups1 Posts: 1,391 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Sheila That sounds good! I'm going to write that on a stickie note and put it on my fridge, so I don't forget it.