How to Preserve Elderberry Juice

Native to parts of Europe, Africa and Asia, the elderberry plant is a large fruit-producing shrub. The berries are similar in appearance to small blueberries but tend to have a slight bitter flavor. Elderberries must be thoroughly cooked before consumption as they contain a chemical similar to cyanide, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Due to the need to cook the berries, it's common practice to turn them into jam or juice. Proper preservation can keep juice safe to drink for up to a year.

Jars
Pot
Funnel
Canner

Instructions

- 1
  Wash quart-sized jars with hot water and dish soap. Alternatively, wash the jars in a dishwasher on the "Sanitize" setting. Prepare just enough jars to contain the juice.
- 2
  Pour the juice into a large pot and set it on the stove at medium heat. Stir regularly until the juice begins to bubble. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, juice should be canned when hot.
- 3
  Pour the juice into the jars immediately, but leave ¼ inch of empty space at the top. Use a funnel to transfer the juice, if desired. Wipe off any spilled juice on the jar top. Screw the lids on the jars.
- 4
  Put the jars in the canning rack and lower it into the canner. Fill the canner with water until the jars are submerged under at least 1 inch of water. Secure the canner lid in place.
- 5
  Put the canner on the stove at medium-high heat. Allow the water to boil for five minutes if the altitude is between sea level and 1,000 feet. Increase the processing time to 10 minutes for an altitude of 1,001 to 6,000 feet. For any altitude above 6,000 feet, process for 15 minutes.
- 6
  Remove the canner from the heat and allow the jars to cool down. Store the jars in the refrigerator or a dry, dark area, such as a pantry.

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