Herts &amp; Beds

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Emily-Made-in-Tring-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Emily nicholson Made in Tring" class="wp-image-78010" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Emily-Made-in-Tring-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Emily-Made-in-Tring-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Emily-Made-in-Tring-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Emily-Made-in-Tring-526x525.jpg 526w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Emily-Made-in-Tring-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Emily-Made-in-Tring-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Emily-Made-in-Tring.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Emily in her kitchen</figcaption></figure>



Emily set up her kitchen table business, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madeintring" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Made in Tring</a>, making jams, chutneys and cordials from her own allotment produce, during lockdown. She grows the produce, makes her jam, and even sells it all hyper locally (we&#8217;re talking within one food mile &#8211; how&#8217;s that for sustainability?).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="737" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Made-in-Tring-jams-1000x737.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-78013" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Made-in-Tring-jams-1000x737.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Made-in-Tring-jams-800x589.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Made-in-Tring-jams-713x525.jpg 713w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Made-in-Tring-jams.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



With elderflower season in full bloom, I caught up with her for some tips on the dos and don&#8217;ts of foraging, plus how to make a refreshing summer cordial. 



What are the need-to-knows for foraging elderflower?



First of all you have to be sure that you&#8217;ve got the correct plant. I found this great little hack on the iPhone where, after you take a photo, you view photo details and a small leaf icon appears, where you can look up what the plant is! If you want some verification before you pick, this is a really useful tool. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/ELDERFLOWER-peter-mason-HGvCRB2p7Ms-unsplash-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Hand holdind a head of elderflower outdoors" class="wp-image-78011" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/ELDERFLOWER-peter-mason-HGvCRB2p7Ms-unsplash-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/ELDERFLOWER-peter-mason-HGvCRB2p7Ms-unsplash-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/ELDERFLOWER-peter-mason-HGvCRB2p7Ms-unsplash-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/ELDERFLOWER-peter-mason-HGvCRB2p7Ms-unsplash-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/ELDERFLOWER-peter-mason-HGvCRB2p7Ms-unsplash-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/ELDERFLOWER-peter-mason-HGvCRB2p7Ms-unsplash-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/ELDERFLOWER-peter-mason-HGvCRB2p7Ms-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Where can I pick it?



Avoid plants near a roadside which may be dirty from traffic pollution, and only forage on public land where it&#8217;s growing in abundance. If we stripped the trees of all the flowers then there would be no berries &#8211; never take more than you need. 



How much will I need ?



I use around 10-15 heads for a batch. If there are insects on the flowers, try to pick them off by hand instead of shaking or washing them as this helps to keep the pollen in tact which adds to the flavour. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/made-in-tring-cordial-WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-12-at-17-1000x1000.jpg" alt="made in tring elderflower cordial" class="wp-image-78016" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/made-in-tring-cordial-WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-12-at-17-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/made-in-tring-cordial-WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-12-at-17-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/made-in-tring-cordial-WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-12-at-17-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/made-in-tring-cordial-WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-12-at-17-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/made-in-tring-cordial-WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-12-at-17-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/made-in-tring-cordial-WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-12-at-17-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/made-in-tring-cordial-WhatsApp-Image-2023-06-12-at-17.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Emily&#8217;s homemade cordial</figcaption></figure>



So how do I turn my foraged flowers into cordial?



Once you have removed any insects, add the flowers from 10-15 heads of elderflower to a large bowl. Peel large segments of the rind of two lemons and add to the bowl with 750ml of boiling water. Cover and leave overnight to infuse. The next day strain the liquid into a pan through a muslin cloth, add 500g of sugar with the juice from the two lemons (and half a teaspoon of citric acid if you wish &#8211; to help prolong its shelf life) and heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool then pour into sterilised bottles. It&#8217;ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 weeks (up to 6 weeks with citric acid). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/elderflower-svitlana-M2ooPEqSE-k-unsplash1-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Making elderflower cordial with lemons and sugar on a table" class="wp-image-78015" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/elderflower-svitlana-M2ooPEqSE-k-unsplash1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/elderflower-svitlana-M2ooPEqSE-k-unsplash1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/elderflower-svitlana-M2ooPEqSE-k-unsplash1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/elderflower-svitlana-M2ooPEqSE-k-unsplash1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/elderflower-svitlana-M2ooPEqSE-k-unsplash1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/elderflower-svitlana-M2ooPEqSE-k-unsplash1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/elderflower-svitlana-M2ooPEqSE-k-unsplash1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Any tips for how to use it? 



If you don&#8217;t drink the cordial quickly enough, you can pour it into ice cube trays and freeze, ready to pop into drinks straight from the freezer. It&#8217;s lovely added to cocktails (the Hugo &#8211; elderflower cordial, Prosecco, fresh mint, squeeze of lime, topped with sparkling water &#8211; is really popular at the moment). I also make a delicious gooseberry and elderflower jam using the cordial for a more intense flavour. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Elderflower-cordial-mae-mu-YNMjGIPgD_c-unsplash-800x1000.jpg" alt="pouring cordial into a glass with fresh mint and lime " class="wp-image-78014" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Elderflower-cordial-mae-mu-YNMjGIPgD_c-unsplash-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Elderflower-cordial-mae-mu-YNMjGIPgD_c-unsplash-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Elderflower-cordial-mae-mu-YNMjGIPgD_c-unsplash-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Elderflower-cordial-mae-mu-YNMjGIPgD_c-unsplash-420x525.jpg 420w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Elderflower-cordial-mae-mu-YNMjGIPgD_c-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



Follow Emily on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madeintring">@madeintring</a>

It’s elderflower time! How to make your own summer sip

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