How Do You Eat Fresh Blackcurrants?

This fruit can be eaten raw, but due to the tart, astringent flavor it is usually cooked with a sweetener such as sugar, stevia, or honey. Photo credit: Lorna Kring. Jams, jellies, juice, desserts, and savory sauces are all suitable culinary uses for this bold berry.

Can you eat raw blackcurrants?

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.

How do I prepare blackcurrants?

How to prepare blackcurrants. Strip the currants from their stalks. Add raw to fruits salads if they are not too tart or cook in a little water with sugar to taste. Do not overcook or they will lose their fresh flavour.

What can I do with fresh picked blackcurrants?

Our favourite blackcurrant recipes

1. Blackcurrant jam.
2. Summer pudding.
3. Blackcurrant sorbet.
4. Berry crumble.
5. Blackcurrant vodka.
6. Blackcurrant sauce.
7. Blackcurrant compote.
8. Blackcurrant pie.

How do you know when black currants are 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 blackcurrants good for arthritis?

Blackcurrants have a direct effect on your body’s inflammatory response. Blackcurrant seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of omega-6 fatty acid that’s been said to help ease inflammation in the body. The high GLA and anthocyanin content can help reduce joint or muscle: pain.

Are black currants healthy?

The numerous benefits of blackcurrants are gaining the attention of many researchers. These berries are a rich source of antioxidants. They also possess anti-diabetic, anticancer, and antispasmodic properties. Research also states that these berries can combat many viral infections and boosts memory.

Is it necessary to top and tail blackcurrants?

For me, it is just as good to leave the odd little green stalk on and totally ignore the little dried flower end. The end product when you use a blender stick on your simmered fruit is a smooth jam with a dense texture and a strong, rich flavour.

How long do black currants last in the fridge?

Always harvest blackcurrants on dry days to avoid fungi developing quickly which will spoil the fruits. Store in the fridge and remove any damaged fruits (eat them straight away!). The fruits should keep in the fridge for around four days.

Should blackcurrants be washed before freezing?

Rinse your destemmed currants under cool water to remove any bugs, leaves or other debris. Then spread them out on a tea towel to dry. Once the berries are fully dry measure them into freezer bags. Remove the air from the bags and then place them in the freezer in a single layer until frozen solid.

What pairs well with black currants?

Currants (black and red): Pair well with chocolate and citrus. They are excellent to mix with dark rum, port, sloe gin, and any style of wine, as seen when crème de cassis makes an appearance in the kir cocktail, bishop cocktail, and vermouth cassis.

Are black currants sweet?

Though the occasional perfectly ripe Black currant is sweet enough for fresh eating, most often these tart berries are reserved for cooked applications. They are typically made into jams, jellies, syrups and liqueurs which are bolstered with some kind of sweetener.

What time of year do you pick blackcurrants?

Blackcurrant fruits are ready for picking in the mid to late summer (July and August) and are at their best about seven days after they have turned blue-black. They can be gathered individually or, if you want them to stay fresh for a little longer, you can harvest them as whole trusses.

Do black currants ripen after picking?

Harvesting. The berries on a currant bush ripen over a 2-week period. However, once a berry ripens it can usually be left on the bush a week or more without dropping or becoming over-mature.

How do you harvest and store blackcurrants?

Keep blackcurrants in the fridge for up to 5 days.
After growing and harvesting blackcurrants, you have less than a week to eat them fresh. To keep any bacteria off of them, rinse and dry your blackcurrants when you’re ready to eat them. Keep your stored blackcurrants in the middle of the fridge.

Is blackcurrant good for weight loss?

A blackcurrant-extract supplement can burn as much fat as four weeks of regular exercise, new research suggests. When taken twice a day for just one week, the vitamin increases fat burning by an average of 27 per cent, with one study participant achieving a rise of 55 per cent.

How much black currant should I take?

For a group of eye disorders that can lead to vision loss (glaucoma): 50 mg of black currant anthocyanins has been taken daily for up to 24 months. For high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia): Up to 3.6 grams of black currant seed oil has been taken daily for up to 6 weeks.

Can black currant cause stomach problems?

The GLA in black currant seeds can sometimes cause side effects, such as: Headache. Diarrhea. Gas and belching.

Is blackcurrant good for stomach?

Anthocyanins are the natural compounds which give blackcurrants their characteristic colour. New research has demonstrated that these anthocyanins help to increase levels of healthy bacteria (Bifidobacterium) in the gut helping to maintain the healthy functioning of the digestive system.

Is blackcurrant a Superfood?

Blackcurrants are packed with vitamin C and micronutrients – they’re Britain’s very own superfood. Blackcurrants are much too good to be relegated to jams and cordials. In all their purple might, they have an intensely punchy flavour, unmatched even by damsons or raspberries.

Are black currants high in sugar?

Blackcurrants are often consumed with added sugar because of their natural sourness, which may be a cause of concern for health-conscious consumers. However, it seems that sugar consumed with blackcurrants is not as unhealthy as sugar consumed without berries.