Mother & Daughter is a family-owned business based in beautiful Wānaka, surrounded by the mountains and lakes of Central Otago. Our warm summers and crisp winters create the perfect conditions for elder trees to thrive, providing us with the inspiration and ingredients for our handcrafted range of elderflower cordials and elderberry syrups.
For us, elderflower has always been more than just an ingredient — it is part of our family story. Growing up, M remembers her own mother making elderflower drinks at home, using the flowers gathered in season and recipes passed down through the family. Those early memories and traditions helped inspire Mother & Daughter and remain at the heart of what we make today.
Made in small batches with care, our products are all about capturing the fresh, distinctive flavours of elderflower and elderberry. From light and refreshing elderflower cordials to rich, fruity elderberry syrups, each bottle is created to be enjoyed and shared.
What began as a family tradition has grown into a business we are incredibly proud of. We believe the best products are often the simplest — thoughtfully made, full of flavour and connected to the people and place they come from.
From our family in Wānaka to yours, we hope every bottle brings a little taste of Central Otago and a little piece of our family tradition to your table.
Elderflower & Elderberries
Elderflower and elderberries both come from the elder plant (Sambucus nigra), a plant that has been enjoyed in foods, drinks and traditional herbal preparations for generations.
The delicate flowers and dark berries have very different flavours and uses, but both contain naturally occurring plant compounds that have attracted interest from researchers around the world.
The information below relates to elderflower and elderberries generally and their history of traditional use. It is not intended to suggest that Mother & Daughter products prevent, treat or cure any medical condition.
Elderflower
Traditional Uses of Elderflower
Elderflower has a long history of use in traditional herbal preparations in many different cultures.
Traditionally, elderflower preparations have been associated with seasonal wellbeing and have commonly been enjoyed during the colder months. Elderflower has also historically appeared in preparations associated with digestive, respiratory and general wellbeing.
These traditional uses have helped make elderflower a popular ingredient in teas, syrups, cordials and other preparations for generations.
Traditional use, however, does not necessarily mean that a particular health effect has been scientifically established.
Naturally Occurring Plant Compounds
Elderflowers contain a range of naturally occurring plant compounds, including flavonoids and other polyphenols.
Compounds found in elderflower include quercetin and related flavonoids. Plant compounds such as these are widely studied for their antioxidant activity and their interaction with biological processes.
The composition of elderflower can vary depending on the variety of elder, growing conditions, preparation and processing method.
Antioxidant & Inflammatory Research
Some of the compounds naturally present in elderflower have been studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
These areas of research are part of the reason elderflower continues to attract scientific interest alongside its long history of traditional use.
Research into individual plant compounds or concentrated extracts should not, however, be interpreted to mean that an elderflower food or drink will produce the same effects in the human body.
Antibacterial & Antiviral Research
Elderflower and elderberry extracts have also been investigated in laboratory research for their interaction with bacteria and viruses.
For example, research has examined extracts from Sambucus nigra against a range of microorganisms.
Laboratory research of this kind is interesting, but it does not establish that consuming elderflower cordial or other elderflower foods can prevent or treat bacterial or viral infections.
Elderflower in Food & Drink
Elderflowers have a distinctive floral fragrance and gently sweet flavour, making them particularly well suited to food and drinks.
They can be used to make:
- Cordials
- Syrups
- Teas and infusions
- Desserts
- Preserves
- Sparkling drinks
- Cocktails and mocktails
Elderflower is also available commercially in dried preparations, extracts and supplements, although these products can differ substantially from elderflower used as a food ingredient.
Elderberries
Later in the season, the flowers of the elder tree develop into clusters of small, dark purple-black elderberries.
Elderberries have a deeper and richer flavour than elderflowers and have traditionally been used in syrups, preserves, drinks and other preparations.
Traditional Use of Elderberries
Elderberries have been part of traditional food and herbal preparations for hundreds of years.
They are particularly well known for their traditional use during the winter months and have historically been associated with preparations intended to support general wellbeing during seasonal illnesses.
Modern scientific research has investigated some of these traditional uses, although research into elderberry preparations should not be interpreted as proof that ordinary elderberry foods or drinks prevent or treat illness.
Elderberries & Digestion
Whole elderberries naturally contain dietary fibre.
Dietary fibre is an important part of a balanced diet. However, the amount of fibre found in a whole berry is not necessarily the same as the amount found in an elderberry juice, syrup or other processed product.
The nutritional value of an elderberry product therefore depends on how it has been prepared.
Elderberries & Cardiovascular Research
Elderberries naturally contain a variety of nutrients and plant compounds, including potassium and polyphenols.
These and other components of berries have been the subject of research relating to cardiovascular health, including areas such as blood pressure, blood lipids and blood-vessel function.
This research should not be taken to mean that elderberry foods or drinks lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol or prevent cardiovascular disease.
Elderberries & Seasonal Wellbeing
Perhaps one of the best-known traditional uses of elderberry is during the colder months.
Elderberry preparations have been investigated in scientific studies looking at seasonal respiratory symptoms and immune function.
Results from research can depend on the particular elderberry extract, concentration, preparation and amount used. This means findings involving a specialised extract or supplement cannot automatically be applied to an elderberry syrup, cordial or food product.
Elderberry products should not be regarded as a treatment for colds, influenza, asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory conditions.
Elderberries & Blood Glucose Research
Naturally occurring compounds in elderberries have also attracted research interest in relation to glucose metabolism.
This remains an area of scientific study and does not mean that elderberries or elderberry products treat diabetes, lower blood glucose or can be used as a substitute for diabetes medication or medical care.
Elderberries, Inflammation & Joint Research
The naturally occurring antioxidant and polyphenol compounds in elderberries have also been studied in relation to inflammation.
Research into these compounds has included areas associated with inflammatory processes and joint health.
This does not establish elderberry foods or drinks as a treatment for arthritis, osteoporosis, joint pain or other medical conditions.
Elderberries & Skin Research
The colourful pigments and plant compounds present in dark berries are another area of scientific interest.
Elderberries contain naturally occurring anthocyanins, which are responsible for much of their distinctive dark purple colour, along with other plant compounds.
Antioxidants and plant compounds are widely researched in areas relating to the body and skin, although consuming elderberry products should not be expected to prevent wrinkles, remove age spots or treat skin conditions.
Nutritional Value of Elderberries
Whole elderberries contain a variety of naturally occurring nutrients and plant compounds.
Depending on the berries and their preparation, these can include:
- Dietary fibre
- Potassium
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Copper
- Vitamin C
- Other naturally occurring vitamins and minerals
- Anthocyanins and other polyphenols
The nutritional composition of whole elderberries should not be assumed to be the same as an elderberry syrup, cordial or other processed product.
A Plant With a Fascinating History
From delicate elderflowers in spring and summer to clusters of rich, dark elderberries later in the season, the elder tree has a fascinating history in both food and traditional herbal use.
Modern research continues to investigate the compounds naturally present in elderflowers and elderberries, while their beautiful flavours ensure they remain popular ingredients in kitchens around the world.
For us at Mother & Daughter, it is their flavour, tradition and versatility that make elderflowers and elderberries so special.
