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Herbal honeys have a long history.
Few things are better than combining beautiful honey with flavorful herbs and spices, preserving the herbs while creating a delicious addition to your condiment collection like this elderberry-infused honey.
It is very important with herbal honeys to use sterile, dry containers, since moisture can cause spoilage, fermentation, or other problems.
Elderberry-Infused Honey Ingredients
1/2 cup American elderberries
2/3 cup honey
Ceylon cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions
- Place the herbs into the bottom of a pint jar.
- Pour the honey over the herbs; the herbs will absorb some honey, so you may need to add more honey to the jar. For this reason, use a jar that is slightly larger than the amount you are making so you have space to top it up.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 2–4 weeks in a warm, dark place, flipping or gently stirring the jar occasionally. Depending on the type of lid, it is a good idea to set the jar on a plate in case a little honey leaks.
- After it has rested, place the jar in warm water (approximately 105°–110°F/40.5°–43°C) for 10–20 minutes to soften the honey, then strain out the berries or other herbs. Once strained, re-jar and enjoy!
You may be wondering what to do with the leftover herbs; one option is to use them to make tea. Since they already contain some honey, simmer them gently over low heat and note that you will not need to add any extra sweetener.
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Well Being Journal adapted the above excerpt from The Elderberry Book: Forage, Cultivate, Prepare, Preserve by John Moody. Copyright © 2019 by John Moody, and reprinted with permission from New Society Publishers.
