Black elderflower
Black elderflower suppliers and sourcing guide
Black elderflower is the dried flower cluster of Sambucus nigra, the European black elder; trade material is wild-collected or cultivated mainly in Central and Eastern Europe and dried soon after harvest. Brands buy cut and sifted or powdered flower for teas and capsules, water or water-ethanol extracts, and flower-based flavor extracts and cordials. Elderberry (the fruit) is a separate ingredient.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Sambucus nigra flower · elder flower · elderflower · Sambuci flos
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of black elderflower
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Cut and sifted flower
Dried flower and small stalks cut to a tea grade, sold by cut size with no standardization.
Powder
Milled dried flower for capsules and blends.
Dry extract
Water or hydroalcoholic extract dried to a powder, sometimes sold on total flavonoids by a named method.
Liquid and flavor extracts
Hydroalcoholic or glycerin extracts and flower infusions used as flavorings in drinks and syrups.
Organic
Flower or extract from certified organic or certified wild-collected material, with the certificate tied to the lot.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity (macroscopy, microscopy, HPTLC)
- Visual and microscopic checks plus a chromatographic fingerprint to confirm Sambucus nigra flower and flag other elder species or excess stalk.
- Flavonoid assay
- Total flavonoids (as rutin or isoquercitrin) by a named UV or HPLC method, where the specification sets a minimum.
- Foreign matter and stalks
- Percentage of stems and foreign matter, which buyers cap on cut and sifted grades.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli or coliforms, and Salmonella. Dried flowers can carry high counts and are sometimes steam treated.
- Pesticide residues
- Multi-residue pesticide screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep dried herb and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; cut herb loses aroma and color with light and air, and powder picks up moisture once opened. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Color, aroma and flavonoid content vary with harvest timing and drying, so compare each lot's COA against your specification. Record the supplier lot, origin and wild or cultivated status, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.10 lists elder flowers (Sambucus canadensis L.) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 182.20 lists elder flowers from Sambucus canadensis and S. nigra among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Elder (Sambucus) natural health product monograph lists the dried flower and fruit of Sambucus nigra subsp. nigra and subsp. canadensis as source material.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has a European Union herbal monograph for elder flower, the flowers of Sambucus nigra L.
Source: ema.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Black elderflower suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking black elderflower suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell black elderflower? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of black elderflower can brands buy?
Common forms include cut and sifted flower, powder, dry extract, liquid and flavor extracts and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for black elderflower include?
Expect identity (macroscopy, microscopy, HPTLC), flavonoid assay, foreign matter and stalks, heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should black elderflower be stored?
Keep dried herb and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; cut herb loses aroma and color with light and air, and powder picks up moisture once opened. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.
What is the regulatory status of black elderflower?
21 CFR 182.10 lists elder flowers (Sambucus canadensis L.) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 lists elder flowers from Sambucus canadensis and S. nigra among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. Health Canada's Elder (Sambucus) natural health product monograph lists the dried flower and fruit of Sambucus nigra subsp. nigra and subsp. canadensis as source material. The European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has a European Union herbal monograph for elder flower, the flowers of Sambucus nigra L.
More botanicals and mushrooms
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- ElderberrySambucus nigra · black elderberry
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- MacaLepidium meyenii · Lepidium peruvianum
- TurmericCurcuma longa · curcumin
- Ginger rootZingiber officinale · ginger rhizome
- GarlicAllium sativum · garlic powder
- EchinaceaEchinacea purpurea · Echinacea angustifolia
- Milk thistleSilybum marianum · silymarin
- Saw palmettoSerenoa repens · Sabal serrulata
- Ginkgo bilobaGinkgo biloba · ginkgo leaf extract
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