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Homemade Elderberry Jam with Collagen

By Holly Darnell, RD

December 21, 2023

Ever made your own jam? It’s surprisingly easy. But when deciding what to make for your first go, consider using elderberries, which have been used since prehistoric times. In fact, Hippocrates, the ancient Greek known for his insight into wellness, used elderberries for their health benefits.

When your healthy immune system could use some support, what better than an elderberry jam on a piece of toast? Okay, we can do one better, by also adding collagen to this recipe for skin, joint and gut support, too.

What Is Elderberry?

Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The different species of Sambucus are commonly called elderberry or elder. The berries and flowers of the elder plant are often used in remedies and have been since ancient Egypt.

Elderberry is native to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia, but it’s become common in the U.S. It has deciduous leaves, white flowers (elderflowers) and berries that turn from green to red to black when ripe.

Sambucus nigra is the scientific name of the most common variety used for remedies as well as the species on which the majority of scientific research has been conducted.

Other common names for Sambucus nigra include black elder, European elder, European elderberry and European black elderberry. The elderberry bush or elderberry tree yields the berries that are commonly used in syrups, jams and wine, among other remedies and culinary delights.

Nutrition Facts

Elderberry fruit contains quercetin, kaempferol, rutin and phenolic acids. It also contains flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties, and anthocyanidins, which are chemical compounds that are known to support the immune system.

Elderberries are naturally high in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, iron and potassium, among several other essential nutrients. One cup of raw elderberries contains 52.5 mg of vitamin C, which is 58 percent Daily Value.

Benefits

One of the most well-studied elderberry benefits is its powerful ability to support the immune system through its chemical compounds called anthocyanidins. In total, benefits include:

• Immune system support

• Aid the sinuses

• Support normal blood sugar levels

• Natural diuretic

• Support skin health

Ingredients for Elderberry Jam

Of course, you can use fresh elderberries for this elderberry jam but they’re very hard to come by. Instead, simply use dried elderberries that you can order online or get in some specialty shops.

Otherwise, lemons are used for flavoring and extra vitamin C. Honey is the natural sweetener and adds additional immune system support.

Lastly, unflavored Multi Collagen Protein mixes in seamlessly and adds skin, joint and gut support.

How to Make Elderberry Jam

In a small bowl, add the dried elderberries. Add in cold water and cover. Place in the refrigerator and allow to soak overnight (or 8-12 hours) to rehydrate berries. 

Pour the rehydrated elderberries and any remaining juices into a medium saucepan. Add the lemon juice and one cup cold water. Stir to combine and heat on high; bring to a boil.

One it has reached a boil, remove from the head and transfer into a high-speed blender. Blend on high until smooth. 

Return the elderberry mixture to the saucepan. Add in vanilla extract and collagen protein and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until fully combined. Place heat on low and stir often for 10-15 minutes. Add in arrowroot flour and stir until fully combined. Continue to stir often and the jam will thicken; about 5-10 minutes. 

If the jam is too thin, add in arrowroot flour one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Take off of the heat and allow to cool. Then add in the honey and stir well. Why not add earlier? Heating honey can deteriorate the quality and lose its essential enzymes and nutrients.

Lastly, pour the jam into mason jars. Put the cap on. Jam should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Jam can keep for 1 month in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. 

Different Types of Elderberry Products

Elderberry is available at many local health stores and online retailers and can be purchased in a variety of different forms.

Besides your own elderberry jam, elderberry supplements, elderberry syrup, elderberry tea, elderberry wine and elderberry juice are all popular options for getting your fix of this incredible ingredient.

Most elderberry supplements on the market contain added sugars, which is counterintuitive to immune protection. At Ancient Nutrition, we source the highest quality elderberry on the planet and ferment it, resulting in an elderberry supplement containing 0 grams of sugar per serving. We also pair our unique elderberry formula with probiotics in one convenient supplement to offer immune and gut support unlike any other.