Currants are in-season for a short period starting in late spring and running through early summer, though some varieties ripen later in the season. Currant shrubs are also rather easy to grow, and that is one way to get around their limited availability. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade.
Why are currants illegal to grow in the US?
In 1911 it was made illegal to grow currants in the United States. They were banned by the US Department of Agriculture because they carried the white pine blister rust disease. This fungus threatened to wipe out the pines in the US, so all Ribes were banned to protect the logging industry at the time.
Why are currants not available?
The nutrient-rich berries were banned in 1911 because they were thought to produce a fungus that could damage pine trees. As new disease-resistant berries were produced and new ways to prevent the fungus from damaging timber were developed, some states started to lift the ban in 2003.
What season are black currants?
Season – July -August – September. Blackcurrants have been the workhorse of the soft fruit garden for many years. Red and white currants may have gone in and out of fashion but the blackcurrant has always survived.
Do you need 2 currant bushes?
Always ask for disease-resistant varieties. Currant bushes can pollinate their own flowers, so you only have to plant one variety to get fruit, although you’ll get bigger fruit if you plant two different varieties.
Can you eat currants raw?
You can eat currants raw, but black currants, especially, are quite tart. Adding a bit of sugar or cooking the berries into jams, jellies, or sauces can help offset the tartness (but will also affect their nutritional profile). You can use currants in desserts instead of other berries.
What is the difference between raisins and currants?
Raisins, sultanas and currants are all types of dried grapes. Raisins and sultanas are soft, sweet and juicy, while currants have an intense, sweet and tangy taste. Raisins are typically the largest of the three.
What berry is illegal in the US?
black currants
Until April 2003, black currants had been referred to in the United States as the “forbidden fruit,”since farming bans in several states prevented it from being harvested. As a result, this once-popular berry, not readily available in the U.S. for the past 100 years, fell out of favor in American diets.
What berries are illegal growing?
gooseberries
Why were gooseberries illegal? Gooseberries were once banned in the U.S. because they contributed to a tree-killing disease called “white pine blister rust” that was decimating these trees. It had a huge impact on white pine lumber-reliant economies like Maine.
Where can I find dried currants?
Currants are usually available in grocery stores on a seasonal basis. If it’s Currant Season, look in the produce aisle for fresh or dried currants in plastic clamshell containers. What is this? They may also be sold in the bulk area or the aisle with dried fruits and nuts.
Can you eat black currants raw?
While black currants have a strong taste, they’re delicious to eat raw when they’re ripe. You can also use them in a variety of recipes. Some ways to prepare black currants include: Cooking with sugar and other fruits to make a jam.
Are black currants the same as blueberries?
Both species produce small, purple-black berries in the summer. The flavor of the berries is significantly more tart than that of blueberries, and black currants are more often used in jams and jellies than they are eaten fresh.
Is black currant juice good for you?
In addition to vitamin C, blackcurrants have plenty of antioxidants and anthocyanins. These can help strength your immune system, soothe sore throats, and ease flu symptoms.
Are currants poisonous to dogs?
True currants (including black, red, and white currants) belong to a different group of plants (genus Ribes) and are not considered toxic to dogs, though stomach upset could occur if a large amount is ingested.
Do currants need a trellis?
In Wisconsin and adjacent states, currants and gooseberries (two closely related fruit crops) are generally grown without trellises, as extension publications recommend.
Can I grow currants in pots?
Plant currants in pots 12 to 18 inches wide and deep or wider; currant roots do not grow deep. Currant roots do not mind growing in a tight space. Plant currants in an organic potting mix. Keep the soil evenly moist; feed plants an all-purpose fertilizer.
Are currants high in iron?
Iron-rich Fruits
Mulberries and black currants too are iron-rich.
Are currents good for you?
Currants are excellent source of minerals, such as zinc, magnesium, iron and especially potassium. The latter is very important in several functions in mammals but especially in the sodium/potassium equilibrium in body and depression of high blood pressure.
How do you know when a currant is ripe?
Fully ripe currants possess the characteristic color of the variety (red, white, or black), are slightly soft and juicy. For jellies and jams, harvest currants before the berries are fully ripe. Fruit harvested for jellies and jams should be well colored, but still firm.
Are currants healthier than raisins?
Currants and raisins are very similar in nutritional value. They closely match in carbohydrate count, protein, fiber, sugar, potassium and vitamins C and K. A one-ounce serving of raisins has 95 calories compared to the 79 calories in the same size serving of currants.
What do currants taste like?
What Does It Taste Like? Currants have a sweet and sour berry flavor. All varieties have a bright acid kick to balance out their sweetness, and a fair amount of tannins that can make your mouth pucker.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.