Nearly all of us Shire-folk (and likely every Ranger) love to forage in the autumn. Many of us have elderberries ripening in our woods but don’t know much about them. Join me to discover the many benefits of elder, explore the folklore and meet the legendary Elder Mother. Along the way, I will teach you how to correctly identify elderberries, test them for ripeness, and how to harvest them… without getting cursed! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
J.R.R. Tolkien and I share a passion for mythology, folklore, and storytelling. While I cannot say for certain, it is highly probable that he would have been aware of this old British belief in a protective tree spirit. Connecting with his influences and sources of inspiration help me feel closer to Middle-earth, which is what Happy Hobbit is all about!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A note on elderberries:<\/strong> Correct identification and preparation are essential. Raw or improperly prepared elderberries and other parts of the plant can cause illness. Never eat unidentified wild berries. Use good hobbit sense – never forage from roadsides, places that could have been sprayed by chemicals, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n