Black elderberry is a tree or bush, bearing tiny white flowers with a very pleasant scent in early summer, and round berries, which are usually dark blue or purplish black, later in the year. It is a medicinal plant that has been used since ancient times and was already considered to be a healing plant in ancient Greek and Roman culture. It has been historically used for treating colds, arthritis or even fever since then.

Elderberry is a native plant in the Carpathian basin and therefore also in Hungary. It can be found all over the country with variable density in populations. Currently there are about 3000 hectares on different plantations in Hungary, and this number is higher than in any of the other European countries (2010).

There is a variety called ”Haschberg” in the Carpathian basin which is very popular because it produces abundant and large clusters of dark purple berries.

The berries from all varieties of elderflower in the region are picked when they are ripe, in September. They are full of anthocyanin and bioflavonoids and therefore possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-viral properties.