Everything You Need to Know About Black Currant

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What is Black Currant?

Black currants (Ribes nigrum) are woody shrubs native to Europe and Asia, introduced to the Americas in the 1800s. As part of the Gooseberry family, they come in various varieties. These berries grow on shrubs during summer, suitable for cooking, drinks, and herbal medicines.

Black currants grow up to about 5 feet tall and flourish in strigs, pollinated by insects. By mid-summer, they bear fruit, with green berries ripening into glossy, purple, edible berries. Each shrub can yield up to 10 pounds of fruit annually.

Easily surviving winter, these hardy shrubs are generally planted in autumn or winter for spring growth. Despite their resilience, they can spread diseases and fungi, which is why they remain less familiar to many Americans. When harvested, they add flavor to both savory and sweet dishes, and can also be made into jams, syrups, and alcoholic drinks.

What Does Black Currant Look Like?

Black currant is a shrubby plant that produces small ⅓ inch, deep purple berries. These shrubs grow in clusters a few feet high. The leaves of these shrubs are light green and have rounded tips. Unlike many other berry-producing shrubs, black currants do not have thorns along the stems and the bark of the shrub has a rough texture.

What Does Black Currant Taste Like?

Black currants have a strong, tart taste due to the high levels of tannins. These berries have strong, earthy tones. People describe the taste as grape-like flavor and are acidic to taste with hints of cherry. When dried, black currants contain hints of vanilla and wildflower. They are sweeter when eaten dried.

What is Black Currant Good For?

Medicine

Black currants are nutrient-rich berries with several health benefits. High in vitamin C, iron, and manganese, they are packed with antioxidants that boost the immune system and alleviate minor health conditions like sore throats and flu symptoms. Additionally, they possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antiseptic properties.

Food

Black currants can be used in a variety of recipes and dishes. These berries are an acquired taste for many people due to the sourness it has but, when mixed with other ingredients, has potential for many uses and tastes.

Black Currants are commonly used to create jams, compotes, and syrups. These berries are usually not eaten fresh and are mixed with other fruits.You can find them combined with apples to make apple crumble or with other types of berries to create sweet desserts like gelatin, popsicles, or pudding.

Another good use for black currants is surprisingly in savory dishes. These berries have deep hints of acid and red wine that compliment game meats well. You can find them used in dishes that include meats such as duck, venison, or pork.

Finally, black currants make for great pairings with drinks whether in teas or alcoholic beverages. They have a full-bodied flavor, similar to that of wine. This makes them great for a variety of mixed drinks. You can experiment with the taste of black currants in mojitos, liqueur, or cocktails.

What are Black Currants called in America?

Black currants are known by many names such as blackcurrant, cassis, or their official species name, Ribes nigrum. In America, they are still referred to as the separated version, “black currant” as well as red or white currant or just currant. These naming conventions can be confusing to many as they can be mistaken for raisins.

Is Black Currant Illegal in the U.S.?

Black currants are not currently illegal in the United States. This fruit was banned long ago due to the issues they were causing to plant life around the country. But, it is making a comeback in many states and slowly being introduced again to the diet of many Americans. States have begun repealing the ban on black currants due to the high levels of vitamins they provide humans.

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States like New York lifted the ban in 2006 and have allowed many farmers and black currant producers to begin developing new products. Other states, like Florida have more technicalities surrounding black currants. While they are allowed in the state based on the fact that they don’t host fruit flies, they are still banned from entering the United States if being imported from certain countries like those in the European Union. Special permits have been issued for countries like Chile to move black currants into the United States. Outside of these regulations, black currants are free to move into the country.

Obviously, there are a variety of guidelines regarding where black currants are allowed to be and come from. It’s best to check with the local government or the state’s Department of Agriculture for more information regarding black currants.

Why is Black Currant Illegal in the U.S.?

Black currants are not illegal in the United States anymore but, in the past, was banned for almost a century when pressure was put on lawmakers by the logging industry. These berries had been widely grown throughout the country after being introduced to the environment by Europeans. Farmers grew over 7,000 acres of currants along with other berries within the Ribes species.

History of Black Currants

It wasn’t until the 19th century when scientists discovered that black currants spread fungus that were capable of damaging pine trees. This parasitic fungus was known as blister rust. It was thought to have spread through black currants by using it as an intermediary host. Chemical sprays were implemented to rid the fields of these berries. These berry shrubs were then banned from being allowed in the United States.

Europe did not face the same problems as America did. The major factor in this was the commercial pine tree plantations that were common in the states. In the 1800s, the United States was rapidly cutting down pine forests for timber which led to a massive decline in stock that tree nurseries could not keep up with. This is when farmers turned to cheaper options offered by seeds from abroad which is what began the cycle of the parasitic fungus.

Beside pine tree plantations being few in numbers in Europe, black currants had already become a staple crop in European culture. Any pine tree plantations that were around were sacrificed so that black currant crops could be retained and today, Europe produces nearly 100 percent of the world’s currants.

Reintroduction of Black Currants

Only recently have black currants been allowed in the United States again. This was after many disease-resistant varieties of black currants were studied and developed. Since 1966, the government has allowed the states to control regulations surrounding black currants. This is why we see such varied differences in how each state treats this fruit. Many states were persuaded to lift the ban on black currants which is why black currants are no longer considered illegal in the United States.

Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.

Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.

Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.

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