Canadian Elder and Visitors!

Canadian Day today!

I had the pleasure of guiding a couple of Canadian visitors through the Tinui Food Forest- and in between swapping stories of what grows well and not so well in Canada and NZ - I was able to introduce them to our Canadian Elder! Sambucus Canadensis Adams (to be oh so correct!) is in full flower at the moment. Putting on a fine display of fresh, frothy, and fragrant blooms. It looks gorgeous!

And I've got inspired to make a batch or 2 of a delicious Elderflower Nectar. The nectar is the same thing as a syrup- these sweetened fragrant concentrates are delicious not only diluted with still or sparkling water, but also poured over ice cream or incorporated into cake icings etc. They really capture the essence of the flowers.

The fragrance as well as the taste makes you feel like you're in the middle of a sunny summer afternoon!!