Elderberry Experiments: 2024

Sap green paint from unripe blue elderberries

In Theopholis' "Divers Arts" he mentions a green pigment from elderberry. The Sambucus nigra species is most common in Europe through the Middle East.  The most common in the United States is a sub-species of this, Sambucus canadensis, that does not grow as large, has a pale yeast that grows over the berries causing them to appear blue, with lower levels of total anthocyanins (provide pigment). 

Ripe and unripe blue elderberries along with a small piece of ochre.

In experiments this past summer I used what was available to me: blue elderberry.  Although the anthocyanin levels were lower, I hoped to get at least a paler version of the green that Theopholis might have used.  Since anthocyanin levels are at their highest when the berry is ripe, I suspected the ripe berries might be shifted with the addition of an acid to a green color like the purple of the iris.  However when I tested this, shifting through the pH range by addition of ammonia, and vinegar or lemon juice, I got shades of pink to a grey blue.  I decided to try the unripe berries.  These little orbs were mostly filled with hard, colorless seeds.  But the small amount of flesh and skin burst with intense, sap green!  

Columns of testing, from left: fresh green berry, fresh ripe berry, air dried berry

I tested with a variety of additives, and the most vibrant green seemed to be from adding a small amount of alum water.  Even after taping a sample in the window for several days, the color maintained surprisingly well!  Perhaps artists of Theopholis' time were using unripe elderberries to make their green paint?  To test further, I would like to repeat this experiment with Sambucus nigra next year to see if there is any difference.  

Freshly ground green elderberry paint