Tartaric Acid for Elderflower cordial

[samela]

Hi All

I'm going to try and make some Elderflower cordial and according to HFW's recipe, I need to add tartaric acid so that it will keep.... The only problem is I have no clue to where buy such a thing.... Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance
Sam

[detailista]

I would try lakeland if you've got one near you- they sell all sorts of cooking related products like this (I get bread improver from there).

There are lots of online retailers selling it too.

[goodlife]

My recipe has citric acid..which is to do same job...I buy mine either from pharmacy or any shop that sell home brewing and wine making things..I think last time I bought some from Wilko..and I'm sure that I saw tartaric acid on shelf too...

[BarriedaleNick]

I agree with goodlife - use citric acid (same quantity) but both are available here

http://www.meridianstar.co.uk/citricacid.html

I just made a batch yesterday!

[goodlife]

forgot.... you have to ask it from the counter..as they do not keep the actual stuff on shelf...apparently druggies use it to mix it for they stuff... ..don't ask why or for what.. ..so that's why it is not freely available...and they may ask you as well what you are using it for... ..ooh...it makes you feel like you are doing something naughty with it...

[BarriedaleNick]

Yeah people use it to disolve heroin to inject but lemon juice is easier to get!!!
Heroin must be nice if people are willing to inject an acid..errghh!

[goodlife]

Oh..that's what they are using for.. ..I never dared to ask... ..they might think in pharmacy that I'm newbie...

[BarriedaleNick]

  Goodlife - the funny thing is that I buy it by the pound - they must think I am a serious user...

(I use it for making bath bombs BTW!)

[goodlife]

  ..shall we meet in same place with our shopping lists..

[BarriedaleNick]

Its a deal           

[goodlife]

I'll have polish my halo first...they do use for cleaning kettles so I should work..
..all this for a bit of cordial..

[books]

you can pop into a Wilkinsons they sell it (winemaking section) although not by the lb

[Jeannine]

Try buying salt petre for preserving,same treatment,it is behind the counter cos it's used in bomb making XX Jeannine

[samela]

     Thanks everyone.  Have ordered some citric acid and some glass bottles from jamjarshop.com so hopefully I'll be in production soon  - before all the flowers are gone!

[goodlife]

I'm hoping to do my cordial next week..bushes are laden with flower heads ..still in bud..so the 'crop' should be good one As I have lots and lots of elderflower growing in my lottie's hedgerow I always use at least double the amount of flowers than the recipe calls for..I soak as much I can get under the syrup..I even put plastic lid with weight on so I can really squeeze maximum amount in... ...and I try to cut all possible stalks out so it is just flowers (less bulk)..
The smell in kitchen is wonderful while it is soaking.... one of the best things in summer...
 

[BarriedaleNick]

Does anyone add lemons/limes/oranges to the mash??

Just made a batch which called for Oranges and Lemons but I'm not sure about it - almost too citrus like...

[goodlife]

Yes..I do.. few lemons and oranges..that's a other reason I use lots of flowers too...I like my cordial being strongly flavoured with elderflower..but it is a little bland without a bit of added extras..

[BarriedaleNick]

Don't suppose you have a receipe goodlife?? 

[goodlife]

sure...something among these lines...
30 elderflower heads
3 litres boiling water
900g caster sugar
1 pkt of citric acid
2 oranges , sliced
3 lemons , sliced

That was the official amounts..but I double the flowers..almost..and instead just caster sugar I use some demerara or golden too..

I sink all flower heads into bucket of water to get rid of insects..drain and cut most of the stalks off.
Put sugar in large bowl/container/pan....and pour over boiling water..stir and leave it to cool.
Once cool add acid, orange, lemon slices (washed and unwaxed would be nice)and flowers. Cover with lid/towel and leave it to stand in 'cool' (that's room temp for me) for 24 hrs....when you remember give it a stir...after infusion strain and bottle. ...nice with sparkling water...
as I use more flowers than in recipe..I put plate or lid with some sort of weight on top to sink all flowers into liquid.. it makes quite strong tasting cordial..but then again I dilute it quite a lot with water so it doesn't taste that sweet anymore..and you still taste the elderflower...

[BarriedaleNick]

Cheers goodlife - similar to one I used but you make yours sound so much nicer - maybe more flower heads are the key!