Author
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Finn, Chad |
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Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2007 Publication Date: 2/1/2008 Citation: Finn, C.E. 2008. Sambucus spp., Elderberry. In: Janick, J. and Paull, R.E., editors. The Encylopedia of Fruits and Nuts. Cambridge, MA. CABI. p. 236-237. Interpretive Summary: The Encylopedia of Fruit and Nuts is designed as a research reference source on temperate and tropical fruit and nut crops. The horticultural attributes of the fruit as well as its botany are presented. The American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, Caprifoliaceae = Adoxaceae) and European elderberry (S. nigra) are the primary cultivated species of this genus which contains about a dozen species. Sambucus sp. are primarily native to the northern hemisphere, although it has become naturalized throughout much of the temperate and subtropical regions where humans live. The fruit are individually small (0.3-0.6 cm) but collectively hundreds of fruit produce very large fruit clusters. Fruit of the cultivated types are very dark purple, nearly black, but various species range from bright red to blue and dark purple. The mild-flavored fruit ripen in mid-late summer. For commercial harvest, the entire cluster is picked and the entire crop is processed into juice or puree. Elderberry bark, roots, stems, flowers and fruit have been used by Native American cultures as food and medicine or to produce toys and tools. In Europe and America, especially in rural areas, the fruit have been gathered from the wild and used to make wine, juice, and jams/jellies; they are often blended with more strongly flavored fruit. Flowers are picked, coated with batter and fried or infused in water and citrus juice to make an aromatic, refreshing drink. Elderberries are purported to have tremendous nutraceutical value as antioxidants and as a treatment for colds and the flu. Commercial elderberry production is concentrated in Oregon in the United States and in Denmark, Italy, and Austria in Europe. Technical Abstract: The Encylopedia of Fruit and Nuts is designed as a research reference source on temperate and tropical fruit and nut crops. The horticultural attributes of the fruit as well as its botany are presented. The American (Sambucus canadensis, Caprifoliaceae = Adoxaceae) and European (S. nigra) elderberry are the primary cultivated species of this genus which contails about a dozen species. Sambucus sp. are primarily native to the northern hemisphere, although it has become naturalized throughout much of the temperate and subtropical regions where humans live. The fruit are individually small (0.3-0.6 cm) but collectively the hundreds of fruit produce very large fruit clusters. Fruit of the cultivated types are very dark purple, nearly black, but the various species range from bright red to blue and dark purple. The mild-flavored fruit ripen in mid-late summer. For commercial harvest, the entire cluster is picked and the entire crop is processed into juice or puree. Elderberry bark, roots, stems, flowers and fruit have been used by Native American cultures as drugs, foods and to produce toys and tools. In Europe and America, especially in rural areas, the fruit have been gathered from the wild and used to make wine, juice, and jams/jellies; they are often blended with more strongly flavored fruit. Flowers are picked, coated with batter and fried or infused in water and citrus juice to make an aromatic, refreshing drink. Elderberries are purported to have tremendous nutraceutical value as antioxidants and as a treatment for colds and the flu. Commercial elderberry production is concentrated in Oregon in the United States and in Denmark, Italy, and Austria in Europe. |
