When ripe, black currants are dark purple in color, with glossy skins. A well established black currant bush can produce up to 10-pounds of berries per year.
How do I know when blackcurrants are ripe?
Tug blackcurrants slightly to check for ripeness.
Ripe blackcurrants should be full of juice, so they should easily fall into your hand. If you have to give another tug and the blackcurrant still stays on its stem, it’s not ready. Give it extra time to harvest and pick it later in the season.
Will blackcurrants ripen off the bush?
Any not-quite ripe blackcurrants can be left to ripen by placing the bottom of the branches in a bucket of water. As harvesting methods go, it’s certainly a lot easier on the back.
What Colour are blackcurrants inside?
black-blue
Blackcurrant is a berry of translucent pulp with red or green tones and bittersweet taste. The fruit is small, of black-blue colour and spherical shape, with an intense taste when completely ripe.
How do you store blackcurrants after picking?
Rinse in cold water and dry completely. Line a baking tray with baking parchment and arrange the berries on top in a single layer. Freeze until the berries are solid. Tip the frozen berries into a freezer bag and expel any excess air.
What to do with blackcurrants after picking?
Blackcurrants freeze really well, so if you manage to get hold of more than you need, you can just pop them into the freezer. Place in a sealed bag or container and freeze for up to six months. Unlike many berries, they also store well in the fridge and should be good to go for five or six days after picking.
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.
Can you eat blackcurrants 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.
When should you prune blackcurrant bushes?
For the first three years after planting, prune lightly in autumn or winter if growth is strong, just removing any weak or low-lying shoots. But if growth is weak, prune hard, cutting at least half the shoots back to near ground level.
Are black currants poisonous?
The juice, leaves, and flowers of black currant are safe when eaten in food products. Black currant is also considered safe if you use the berry or seed oil appropriately as medicine.
Do I need to top and tail blackcurrants for jam?
If you have grown your blackcurrants yourself you will need to remove the tails (stalks) and wash your currants. Some people also prefer to remove the tops as well. It does take ages (and I mean ages) so you may prefer not to do this. Make sure you have removed all debris, bugs or leaves from the currants.
Are black currants illegal?
The federal ban was lifted in 1966, though many states maintained their own bans. Research showed that blackcurrants could be safely grown some distance from white pines and this, together with the development of rust-immune varieties and new fungicides, led to most states lifting their bans by 2003.
How long does a blackcurrant bush last?
15 years
A well established blackcurrant bush can yield 10 ibs or more fruit and will remain productive for up to 15 years.
Are black currants the same as blueberries?
Black Currant Types and Growth Habits
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.
Can I prune blackcurrants after fruiting?
Blackcurrants carry their fruit on the previous summer’s growth. Pruning couldn’t be simpler, remove the old fruited branches. Ideally pruning should be carried out immediately after harvesting or more practically, September.
Do I need to wash blackcurrants before freezing?
Rinse them under cool water to remove any insects or debris. Spread them on a dish towel to dry off for a few minutes. If you won’t get around to de-stemming the fruits for more than a few hours, simply put the whole clusters of currants into freezer bags or containers.
Can fresh blackcurrants be frozen?
Yes, both red and black currants freeze very well. Just follow the simple steps below to prepare and freeze your currants to use in baking recipes or to make jelly from later.
How do you prepare blackcurrants for cooking?
To prepare: To remove the berries from the stalks, hold each stalk at the top with the berries at the bottom and run a fork down each one. The berries should come away easily, without being damaged. To cook: To stew blackcurrants add a little water and 50g sugar per 450g of fruit, simmer gently until just tender.
What can I do with lots of blackcurrants?
Black currants are most frequently used in infusions, jams, jellies, pies, tarts, and baking, and are also dried for use in tea.
How do you eat black currants?
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.
How do you dry blackcurrants?
Use a simple food dehydrator to dry black currants for storage and future use.
Instructions
- Pick Black Currants when they are fully ripe and dry within 24 hours for best results.
- Rinse the currants by putting them in a bowl with cold water.
- Strain the currants and place them on a tray on top of a towel.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.