Last year I decided to make elderflower cordial when the creamy bracts were at their fragrant best, and came unstuck as I couldn’t get hold of any citric acid or Campden tablets. I ordered them from EasyBrew on the internet as there was no supply in Chichester, but there had been a rush and my parcel arrived about 6 weeks after I had made my cordial. This year I urge you to be organised - I have last year’s late stocks at the ready.

We have been watching the engaging programme “Grow your own drugs” on BBC2 on Tuesday evenings. James Wong has used citric acid in quite a few concoctions and so it may well be in short supply. If you want to make elderflower cordial, get your order in soon.