Blackcurrants ripen from early summer onwards, depending on the variety. The easiest way to harvest modern varieties, such as the ‘Ben Sarek’, ‘Ben Hope’, ‘Ben Lomond’ and ‘Ben Connan’, is to cut whole fruit trusses (known as strigs) once the currants turn black.
When should I pick my blackcurrants?
Pick blackcurrants from June to August.
Blackcurrants ripen by the time summer starts, so you can harvest them during the entire season. During spring, blackcurrants are pruned so only the fruiting shoots remain. Gather your blackcurrants before fall begins and your bush enters its dormant season from October to April.
Will blackcurrants ripen after picking?
Blackcurrants ripen from early summer onwards, depending on the variety. In this case, pick ripe currants individually. Eat within a few days of harvesting.
What do ripe black currants look like?
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. Black currants can grow well on sandy or heavy and loamy soil as long as their nutrient requirements are met.
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.
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 long do blackcurrant bushes last?
10-15 years
Blackcurrants are usually trouble free and may live for 10-15 years. Net the bushes down to ground level to prevent birds from stealing the fruit . Or grow in a fruit cage. Reversion and Big Bud Mite may reduce their life but frost can be a problem particularly in Northern regions with early flowering varieties.
What fruit will not ripen after being picked?
Non-climacteric fruit produce little or no ethylene gas and therefore do not ripen once picked; these stubborn fruits include raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, watermelons, cherries, grapes, grapefruit, lemons and limes.
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.
Do blackcurrants fruit on new wood?
Blackcurrants are grown as a ‘stool’, with most shoots arising from ground level or close to it. One-year-old shoots are the most productive. Two-year-old wood will produce some fruit but older wood becomes non-productive, so each year some stems need to be removed to make space for younger ones.
Do you prune blackcurrant bushes?
Pruning established blackcurrant bushes
Prune sprawling branches laden with fruit for easy picking, cutting back to strong upright growth, but delay the main pruning until winter. Cut out a quarter to a third of the branches each year, aiming to remove old unproductive wood, weak growth and low-lying branches.
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 black currants spread?
Black currants (Ribus nigrum) are a tough and decorative landscape shrub, that is hardy to zone 3. In good loamy soil they will grow to 4 to 5 feet high with a spread of 3 feet.
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.
Can you freeze freshly picked blackcurrants?
Blackcurrants can be frozen for up to 6 months. Spread blackcurrants out onto a baking tray, freeze for a few hours before bagging them up and storing them in the freezer for the longer term.
Do you top and tail blackcurrants before freezing?
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 can I do with lots of blackcurrants?
Our favourite blackcurrant recipes
- Summer pudding.
- Blackcurrant sorbet.
- Berry crumble.
- Blackcurrant vodka.
- Blackcurrant sauce.
- Blackcurrant compote.
- Blackcurrant pie.
- Blackcurrant cordial.
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.
What do you feed blackcurrant bushes?
Blackcurrant bushes need plenty of watering and feeding – particularly if container grown. In spring, feed with pelleted chicken manure or other high potash fertiliser, and add a thick mulch. Keep weed-free during the growing season and when the fruits start to mature, net your plants to protect from the birds.
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 blackcurrants 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.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.