Flu busting Elderberry Gummies are tasty and an easy way to get your kids to take Elderberry Syrup. Elderberries are believed to be a strong antioxidant, immunity booster, and a safe, natural way to ward off colds and the flu!
The cold and flu season is long and I always want to be prepared. I mean to have immune-boosting and anti-viral natural remedies at hand. So obviously elderflowers and elderberries are a way to go. I dry them and make syrups every year in several batches so I can use them all year long. They just work fine for our family. We like their taste and like to use them in various recipes too.
Having both elderflower cordial and elderberry syrup ready I just came up with an idea to make them into gummies and have a lovely treat for kids when they are craving for something sweet. They became a popular addition to my immune-boosting apothecary. They are tasty, handy and very popular with the kids. So I thought I would share them with you.
Elderberry gummies benefits
Elderflowers are considered top antiviral plants that are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. One of their advantages is that they come twice a year. In spring they bloom into beautiful creamy colour flowers with a distinctive smell. They are not only edible but also great for the skin and are often used in salves or oils for their antiwrinkle properties.
I like to use them in various recipes but the most popular is Elderflower cordial that is a keeper. I often give it to our neighbours or people that come over to visit and it is a gift that is always very much appreciated.
The second time we can enjoy the medicinal benefits of elder is in early autumn when the flowers turn into berries that are packed with vitamin C, Iron and Sambucol.
Their main superpower, however, lies in their ability to rapidly rid you of an infection. The Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel found that using elderberries before a possible infection will prevent the spread of the virus while taking them after an onset infection will reduce the spread by up to 50%. Elderberries are a very effective form of pain relief when the pain is of nervous origin, thus including inflammation.
Made also of cloves, cinnamon, and honey, elderberry Syrup is a complex solution to keep all viruses away.
The idea of gummies was just irresistible and with little bit of research didn’t seem out of reach.
As I decided very quickly I didn’t even have time to buy a proper gummy bear silicon form so I just used whatever I had at home.
Using agar to make Vegan gummies with elderberries
I used agar or agar agar that is also called vegetable gelatin that is derived from algae – seaweed. It is often used as a vegan substitute for traditional gelatine. Colorless, odorless and tasteless agar is very beneficial for our digestive system as it absorbs bile and causes the body to dissolve more cholesterol.
Agar also sets more firmly than gelatin, stays firm even in higher temperatures and unlike gelatin, can set at room temperature. It also keeps its shape on warm days.
Another benefit of using agar instead of gelatin is that agar is more stable and is less likely to develop any mold. Gelatin contains collagen which loves to grow bacteria and make it last shorter.
Making Elderberry gummies all year long
If you have an elderflower cordial and elderberry syrup at home you can use those, otherwise you can order them in organic quality online. My homemade syrup contains raw honey and I don’t want to lose its medicinal benefits. So I decided to warm the syrup to a temperature just below 110 F (50 C) so the pollen, propolis, enzymes and all antioxidants will stay untouched.
Elderberry gummies recipe
First step
When working with agar it is good to know that agar needs to be dissolved in water first before bringing it to boil. I was using powdered agar so to make the liquid to thicken I used 1/2 teaspoon of powdered agar for 1/2 cup of liquid.
Second step
Then I brought the water to boil, let it simmer for 10 minutes, let it cool down but just very little.
Third step
In the meantime I warmed up (just till 100F) the 2 tbsp of syrup (to achieve consistent mixture both parts need to have the same temperature.
Fourth step
Mix it well and pour it quickly into the silicon mold before settling it into a jelly like texture.
Fifth step
Repeat the same with the second batch using Elderberry syrup instead of Elderflower cordial to get two colors of gummies.
Sixth step
Use a pipette to achieve the desired result quickly and without spilling the liquid around
Various alterations of gummies
In case you don’t have a syrup you can use elderflower tea or any other herbal tea instead. It would work with fruit juices as well just medicinal benefits will be different. If you don’t have elderberry syrup, you can make it from dried elderberries or powdered elderberries, just reducing the quantity by third.
You can use coconut oil to brush on the silicon mold so the gummies are easy to pop out of the mold. My elder gummies popped out nicely without using the oil. The texture was firm enough but at the same time they were jelly enough for our liking.
Some people like them more jelly-like, some gummier. The best way to find out is to experiment with the right proportions and adjust the agar and liquid amount accordingly.
It depends on the size of your mold and the quantity of elder syrup you used. I would say up to 3-5 gummies a day is fine but you should check with your pediatritian to be sure
I strongly recommend using a pipette that sometimes comes with mold. It will allow you to be precise and fast without spilling the liquid around. The mixture tends to cool and get into jelly very quickly so you need to act fast.
I store them in an air-tight container in the fridge and check if there is no mold development. But it never happened as they go really fast. Lemon or citric acid helps to keep the gummies stable so if you plan to use them later you might consider adding some to the mixture before it thickens.
Also making them harder – using more agar and less water might help to keep them safe for longer.
Sugar also acts as a preservative so it can also help but I prefer to use honey.
Putting a paper towel over the top might help absorb some of the moisture that can cause potential damage.
You can keep them in the freezer for up to one year.
Elderberry gummies recipe
Flu busting Elderberry Gummies are tasty and an easy way to get your kids to take Elderberry Syrup. Elderberries are believed to be a strong antioxidant, immunity booster, and a safe, natural way to ward off colds and the flu!
Instructions
- dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of agar in 1/2 cup of water
- once dissolved, bring it to the boil and let it simmer for 10 minutes, put it on the side.
- in the meantime warm 2 tbsp of elderflower cordial just below 110 F (45 C)
- pour it over the agar mixture and mix it well.
- Fill the mixture quickly into the silicon mold with the pipette or spoon before settling it into gelly like texture.
- repeat the same process with elderberry syrup so you will have two different colors gummies.
Notes
The mixture tends to cool and get into gelly very quickly so you need to act fast.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
60Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 2Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
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Wow! I didn’t realize that elderberry also helped alleviate the spread of viruses! Is there nothing that this plant can’t do?! These gummies look delish! I think I’d have a hard time not eating the whole batch! Yum!
I love this! I make elderberry syrup and I make gummies, but I have never made elderberry gummies! What a perfect mix! Also, I had no idea about Agar! I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve never made elderberry gummies before but have made gummies. It never occurred to me to use a pipette rather than just spill the liquid everywhere while I try to fill the wells. Brilliant idea.