How Do You Pick Currants?

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.

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Can currants be eaten 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.

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.

Do currants ripen after picking?

When do I harvest currants? Answer: Currants typically ripen over a 2 to 3 week period.

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.

What do you do with fresh currants?

Fresh currants can be used like blueberries, and somewhat like blackberries or raspberries, in tarts and pies, and other desserts, such as sorbets and puddings. Use them fresh in fruit salads, particularly berry mixes, or to garnish desserts with their pretty color.

Are all currants edible?

The berries of all species in the Ribes genus are technically edible (they are not poisonous), but some are grown particularly for their edible fruit.

What do currants taste like?

There are many ways you can enjoy the sweet and sour taste of currants. You can eat them on their own and add a tiny sprinkle of sugar to balance out the tartness or use them in a variety of sweet and savory recipes.

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’s the difference between a currant and a raisin?

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.

Are currants 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.

Is it legal to grow currants?

In 1911, a federal ban made it illegal to grow all Ribes, including currants and gooseberries, because these plants served as an intermediary host of white pine blister rust.

Are red currants poisonous?

Unripe berries or a large number of ripe berries are mildly poisonous and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

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.

When should I pick red currants?

Redcurrants are ready to pick from early summer onwards, when richly coloured, firm and juicy. Cut whole trusses (or strigs) and use immediately, or store in the fridge for a few days. Alternatively, place trusses in bags and freeze for later use.

How do you know when a white currant is ripe?

Whitecurrants are ready for harvesting in summer when the fruits and firm and juicy. All berries will not ripen at the same time, so pick every week during dry weather over the course of 2-3 weeks; if the fruits are wet they will not store well, but turn mouldy.

Do red currants ripen off the bush?

Redcurrants can be grown against a north-facing wall and make an attractive cover in these circumstances, but the fruit will ripen later and may be less sweet. Space redcurrant bushes 1.5m apart with the same distance between rows to allow plants to expand to their full size at maturity.

Should I 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.

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 I freeze currants?

FREEZE THEM: Both RED and BLACK CURRANTS freeze well; just remove most of the stems and fill into freezer bags. If you haven’t washed the berries, they won’t stick together, and then you can just pour out as much as you want at a time.

What are currants called in America?

The grapes were originally cultivated in the south of Greece and more specifically, the island of Zante, hence the name Zante currant, used in the United States. The name currant comes from the ancient city of Corinth. Other names for currants are Zante currants, Corinth raisins, or Corinthian raisins.