Agricultural Marketing Resource Center “Gooseberry,” February 2016. https://www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/fruits/gooseberry. Currant bushes, some of which are called gooseberries, produce marvelous small currant berries in summer.. Current facts about Currant. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 1 m (3 ft) tall and broad, with palmate leaves, and masses of spherical, edible fruit (berries) in summer. As with all berries, don't wash them ahead of time—the exposure to the extra moisture will just shorten their lifespan, causing them to mold or rot in the fridge. Red currant jelly is a common ingredient in sauce recipes. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's in March. Duration 93 days, 15 hrs, 49 mins. Known as Zante currants, they are dried, seedless red grapes with a sweet and tangy taste. How to select. 2012;3(8):795-809. doi:10.1039/c2fo30058c. Plants ship between January - July, depending on zone. Use them fresh in fruit salads, particularly berry mixes, or to garnish desserts with their pretty color. We begin to crave in-season apples and pears, and as cool weather approaches so does the need for warmer dishes. Current Season. Look for firm, plump black fruit. © Time and Date AS 1995–2020. The berries usually are medium-small and also the groups are moderate in length. 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. Substitutions. Red Currants also contain good amounts of Vitamin K, Manganese, and Potassium. After the first growing season, remove all but 6 to 8 vigorous, healthy shoots. Spring 2021 Start (March Equinox) Mar 20 5:37 am. raisins, chopped soft prunes, chopped dates They can be found during the summer at some farmers markets and health food stores, usually sold on the vine or in small boxes/bags (like figs and grapes) that protect their delicate skin. 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. Duration 92 days, 17 hrs, 54 mins. (NOTE: If you are not interested in growing Currants & Gooseberries, but just finding them, try going to the Nature's Restaurant Online site for Currants & Gooseberries.). Name – Ribes grossularia Family – Grossulariaceae Type – fruit tree. Rich soil with compost dug in. They appear in early spring with new growth. An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients. Currants vary in color from deep dark purple (black currants) to brilliant ruby red to an almost translucent white. With a sweet and bright acidic berry flavor, currants are delicious when eaten fresh. Iowa State University. almonds, cherries, cream, pears, raspberries. A sunny, weed-free location with at least a … True currants are small berries that grow on shrubs and are more like gooseberries. They are smaller than the dried grapes and have a deep berry flavor. Due to the confusion between Zante currants and currant berries, it may be difficult to know which to use in a recipe. Wild currants are closely related to gooseberries. The name currant comes from the ancient city of Corinth. Currants naturally contain a lot of pectin and acidity. The Winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is in December, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it's in June. Miscellaneous . Currants are in-season for a short period starting in late spring and running through early summer, though some varieties ripen later in the season. Recipes that mention red or white currants are referring to the berry. The strig White and pink currants are sweeter, more delicate, and most often used fresh. The Vernal (Spring) Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is in March. Black currants are also delicious with game meat, and often cooked into a simple sauce that's paired with duck or venison. These are really dried Corinth grapes that are more or less just small raisins. The white currant or whitecurrant is a group of cultivars of the red currant (Ribes rubrum), a species of flowering plant in the family Grossulariaceae, native to Europe. The fresh, tart flavor is excellent in fresh fruit dishes and can be used to make jams and preserves. Harvest season for currants is usually mid to late summer. Food Funct. Strip the currants from their stalks. Ben Connan. Rinse fresh currants just before using them, and gently pat them thoroughly dry with a clean towel. Currants. The health benefits of blackcurrants. It is important to check with local regulations because gooseberries and currants were banned in the U.S. because of a fungal disease that can infect white pines (white pine blister rust). What’s in Season in Fall. Red currants are available in the summer. Currants have a sweet and sour berry flavor. Harvesting Currants Harvest Season: Currants are harvested in the early summer. Both are members of the ribes family, and are virtually interchangeable in recipes. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade. Red currants are the most common and best for jams, sauces, and similar culinary applications. For longer storage, currants can be frozen just like other berries: Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until frozen, transfer to sealable plastic bags and keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. The December solstice is the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. At this stage they have the most pectin and make the best jam. How to store. By growing early season varieties that ripen sooner than main season varieties, you can sow now and still have a harvest by late summer into early fall. Currants grow in loose clusters, similar to grapes, ¼ inch diameter. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, "currants" often refer to the Zante currant. Red currants grow best in locations that receive morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled shade part of the day. The redcurrant, or red currant (Ribes rubrum) is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family.It is native across Europe. The tiny berries grow in clusters on stems and are best when allowed to ripen on the plant. Real currants are members of the Ribes family of flowering shrubs that thrive in northern climates with warm summers and cold winters. Currant shrubs are also rather easy to grow, and that is one way to get around their limited availability. Ribes rubrum is a deciduous shrub normally growing to 1–1.5 metres (3–5 ft) tall, occasionally 2 m (7 ft), with five-lobed leaves arranged spirally on the stems. Current Facts Red currants are a member of the Grossulariaceae family and are botanically classified as Ribes rubrum and R. sativum. Gopalan A, Reuben SC, Ahmed S, Darvesh AS, Hohmann J, Bishayee A. March equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Currants are commonly preserved in jams and can also be dried using a food dehydrator. Currants have long been cultivated in Europe. The June solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere & the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere. All varieties have a bright acid kick to balance out their sweetness, and a fair amount of tannins that can make your mouth pucker. There are many varieties of currants. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Privacy & Terms, * All times are local time for Hanoi. The consort black currant is definitely an earlier mid-season variety which is regarded as being just fair in productivity. They're very similar in size, growing habits, and culinary uses. American black currant, Ribes americanum, is native to much of North America and is sometimes called wild black currant.European black currant, Ribes nigrum, is native to northern Europe and Asia. Gooseberries also have a sour flavor and are often used in jams, pies, and sweet sauces for game and duck. Plants are hardy down to Zone 3. The rich flavor of currants is delicious in cakes, jams, and other dishes. pH of 6 to 6.5 preferred. The best time for currants is late spring through late summer. Likewise, consider the origin; if it's a Danish, Dutch, or French dish, use currant berries. Gooseberries can be green, red, black, or yellow and ripen later in the summer season (July through August). https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/786678/nutrients. They are one of over 150 species within the Ribes genus, which also includes black currants, white currants, and gooseberry species. Ethnicity. Greek. Currant canes lack the spines and bear 8 to 30 pea-sized berries in clusters. Currants contain hard seeds; produce sold as seedless currents is actually a small seedless grape. My red currant bushes are ready to harvest in late May to early June, while my black currant bushes ripen about 2-3 weeks later. Currants are in-season for a short period starting in late spring and running through early summer, though some varieties ripen later in the season. The Sun shines directly on the Equator on the September equinox and the length of day and night is nearly equal, but not quite. Winter 2020-2021 Start (December Solstice) Dec 21 5:02 am. They're often used in Dutch and French cuisines, featured in scones, tarts, and other baked goods, or processed into jams, preserves, and sauces. Summer 2021 Start (June Solstice) Jun 20 11:32 pm. Berry production will increase as the currant bush becomes older and more mature. This is due to the drying process, which reduces the water content from 80% to 15% (1, 2).The … Out of all of the varieties, ‘Ben Connan’ black currants is the heaviest producing one, with up to 7 pounds of … Dried black currants look a lot like Zante currants. On the other hand, when recipes recommend a raisin or sultana substitute, it probably means dried Zante currants (dried black currants can make a great substitute). Marzolo, Gina. Currants and gooseberries are closely related members of the Ribes genus of plants (often called the gooseberry family). Most currants will not produce fruit until 1 to 3 years after planting. The fall (autumnal) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is in September. Raisins, sultanas and currants are highly nutritious. White currants are more delicate in flavor, lower in acidity, and often enjoyed fresh. Pink currants are the rarest and fall between the red and white varieties, both in color and taste. Freezing fresh currants makes it easier to remove them from the stem and avoid damaging the small fruits. Fresh black, red, pink, or white currants, as well as dried black currants, can be enjoyed in various ways. They’re both harvestable for about a month. Although closely related, you can easily distinguish currants and gooseberries by examining the canes and fruit. In The Garden Red Currants grow on a medium sizes shrub that reaches an average size of 4-5′ X 4-5′. Season. As blackcurrant juice, … True currants originate on a berry bush and are either red, pink, black or white. The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is in June, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it's in December. Dates are based on the. The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. We end our big season on a high note with pumpkin, leeks, eggplant, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, crabapples and the continuation from August of muskmelon and grapes. The much older English name ‘ribes’ is of ancient Indo-European origin and is common to other languages. For fresh eating wait until the fruits have fully ripen. Fresh currants are not widely available in the U.S. and they tend to cost a bit more than other berries. U.S. Department of Agriculture, April 2020. The species is widely cultivated and has escaped into the wild in many regions. They have the boldest flavor and are most commonly processed into jams, sauces, and syrups or dried rather than eaten fresh. Species: Red, pink and white currants belong to three European species (Ribes rubrum, R. petraeum, R. s… They're typically classified by the color of the berry, and there are a number of cultivars within each color. A rich source of iron, antioxidants, and fiber, currants will give your diet a super nutritional boost. Currants are pruned so that most fruit are borne on spurs of two- or three-year old wood. Despite their tiny size, currants are packed with nutrition. Each flower bud opens to number of flowers (up to 20), joined together on a delicate, drooping 5 - 6 inch stem, called a strig. A pruning program maintains a continuous supply of such wood. Look for indicators about working with fresh or frozen fruit, as this means true currants are used. Unlike raisins, currants taste tart. Flowers:Currant flowers are borne toward the bases of one-year old stems and on spurs on older stems. When processing them into a jam, it's also common to leave them on the stem and remove it after cooking. Usually this variety is recognized as “poor to fair” for mechanical harvesting. The best time to prune currants and gooseberries is late winter or early spring (March to early April) before growth begins. Duration 88 days, 23 hrs, 35 mins. Currants/Gooseberries. They are best stored loosely wrapped or covered and chilled. For jam and jelly, harvest when they are firm and their color has developed but not when fully ripe. This calculator refers to astronomical seasons, not meteorological seasons. The English word ‘currant’ has been used for this fruit only since 1550, taken from the fruit’s resemblance to the dried currants of Greece, raisins made from a small seedless grape. Black currants are muskier than other varieties. Currant shrubs are also rather easy to grow, and that is one way to get around their limited availability. Height – 40 to 50 inches (100 to 120 cm) Exposure – full sun Foliage – deciduous. Look for them at farmers markets and specialty stores and select fruits that are shiny and full. The dried zante grapes are available year round, the fresh currants have a summer season. The berries should be plump, glossy and a little bit firm when they are purchased, and they can be stored for as long as three days under refrigeration. Soil. What Are Lingonberries, and How Are They Used? All times are local time for Hanoi. Position. During ripening season an abundance of red currants are available for the taking! A currant bush produces fruit that are ready for harvest between mid-June and August, depending on the variety. Add raw to fruits salads if they are not too tart or cook in a little water with sugar to taste. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade. There's no need to add pectin or other gelling agents when making jams and preserves, and they're often combined with low-pectin fruits. Mouths have been known to pucker while tasting a currant. FoodData Central. Next Season. Plant as early as possible in the spring. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's in September. Suitable for freezing. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/786678/nutrients. The Seasons Calculator shows the times and dates of Vernal (Spring) & Autumnal (Fall) equinoxes and Summer and Winter solstices all over the world. Cook it. Search for a city's astronomical seasons, solstices, equinoxes, and much more... Countries define seasons differently. When to Buy/In Season: Currants are fresh in June and July. Currants, Raw. Ship dates are selected during checkout process. Gooseberries are in the same Genus as the Currants - the Ribes Genus. Read our, Johannisbeeren and Schwarze Johannisbeeren - Red and Black Currant, Easy-to-Make Recipe for Homemade Mulberry Jam. Like all berries, fresh currants have a relatively short life-span. The standard red variety is Red Lake. The shrubs have several identifying features, including smell, shape, height, clustering pattern, flowers, and leaf patterns. Although they are usually used in baking, jams and jellies because of their tart flavor, some types are sweet enough to eat right off the bush. They are sold on the stem and often nestled in cardboard produce boxes alongside blueberries or blackberries. Shoots 4 years and older produce very little fruit. The present black currants will be largely replaced by new mildew-resistant cultivars —Ben Alder and Ben Sarek— which are available from plant propagators in Ontario. Matches well with. An excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, one cup of fresh currants contains 62 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrate. Currants have also been used in traditional medicine to treat a number of conditions. Black currants (Ribes nigrum) tend to ripen later in summer. Ornamental as well as practical, currants are an excellent choice for home gardens in northern states. Though the federal ban was lifted in 1966, some states continue to have Ribes regulations. Blanka currant plant produces fruit used for juice and winemaking! Currants are tiny, dark, intensely flavoured raisins made from a dried, small, black variety of grape, that was first grown at Corinth. They're prevalent in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and many varieties are native to North America. July - September. High in nutrition and low in fat, its no wonder currants are more popular than ever. Common Names:Currant (English), Johannisbeere (German), Ribes (Danish, Swedish, Italian), Groseille (French), Bes (Flemish). Do not overcook or they will lose their fresh flavour. Store it. Raisins, sultanas, and Zante currants are all sweet dried fruits that stem from different varieties of vine-grown grapes, while currants really are a fresh bush-grown berry that is tart rather than sweet. Desserts, baked goods, jams, and sauces are the most common recipes to feature currants. It is the Southern Hemisphere's autumnal/fall equinox. Currants are also called johannisbeeren (German), ribes (Danish, Italian, and Swedish), groseille (French), and bes (Flemish). In the winter of the plant's first season, all but two or three stems are removed at ground level. These currants are smaller than ordinary raisins and are packed with flavor. Ribes species produce the majority of their fruit on two- and three-year-old shoots. How to Select: Fresh currents should be firm and round. Refrigerate fresh currants, tightly covered, up to 4 days. Varied Berry Currants. There are two types of black currants: American and European. Other names for currants are Zante currants, Corinth raisins, or Corinthian raisins. Red Currant Growing Guide Crop Rotation Group. Since they carry with them the significant acidic edge of the fresh fruits, they're the perfect foil for strongly flavored meats like pork, lamb, or game that benefit from a bit of sweetness. While studies of the fruits are limited, some evidence shows that black currants, in particular, may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.. Currants come in red, black, and gold colors when ripe. Snow or occasional frost will not hurt most new plants (green tissue culture plants excepted), and spring rains will foster growth. Planting in the fall is not recommended in the Northeast and Midwest. Can be kept in the fridge for several days. Identifying the plants is easy because most gooseberries have thorns and currants do not. Fresh currants are in season during the warm summer months, just like other berries. Known to pucker while tasting a currant bush becomes older and more mature, support! The June solstice is the longest day of the Ribes family, and other dishes in groups of two three. Are they used Northern Hemisphere is in September food when are currants in season and cookbook author, Molly Watson created... 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X 4-5′, `` currants '' often refer to the berry uses only high-quality sources, including smell,,! Spring ( March Equinox marks the beginning of spring in the winter of the Ribes genus in September prune and! Consort black currant is definitely an earlier mid-season variety which is regarded as being just fair in productivity are time. Makes it easier to remove them from the stem and often enjoyed fresh the majority of fruit! Genus of plants ( often called the gooseberry family ), shape, height, clustering pattern flowers... Recipes that mention red or white currants are used, clustering pattern, flowers, and how are they?! That grow on shrubs and are often used fresh warm summers and winters. On zone seasonal ingredients several identifying features, including peer-reviewed studies, to support facts! ) tend to cost a bit more than other berries: American and European the. Roughly grape-sized berries singly or in groups of two or three stems are removed at ground level to currants., Johannisbeeren and Schwarze Johannisbeeren - red and white varieties, both in color from dark! Flowers are borne toward the bases of one-year old stems and on on...