Currants ripen over a two-week period in mid-June to mid-July, depending on local climate, and change color to a bright red when fully ripe. Fruits develop in clusters that are easily picked from the two and three year old branches. Red currants have tender skins that will tear when picked.
How do you know when red currants are ready to pick?
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.
Do you top and tail red currants?
Lightly pick over the redcurrants, removing any leaves and fibrous stalks— no need to top and tail them or strip them off their stalks. Rinse them and put them in a large heavy-based pan with 500ml/18fl oz water.
How do you eat fresh red currants?
While they are sour, they tend to be less sour than gooseberries so they can be eaten raw: sprinkle them on your morning yogurt or just eat them by the handful. But they do get deliciously sweet and juicy when cooked, too. De-stem and fold them into muffin batter in place of other berries or use them to make jam.
Should red currants be refrigerated?
Red currants can be kept refrigerated for up to 6 days and for 1 to 2 days at room temperature. Prevent bruising by spreading them out and only removing the peduncles after washing them. If you want to freeze red berries, spread them on a platter in the freezer.
Can you eat red currants raw?
These shiny little berries grow low on bushes, hanging from the branches like rows of miniature gems. Their flavour is a little tart but they’re still sweet enough to be eaten raw, so long as they’re sprinkled with plenty of sugar.
Should I wash red currants 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 you prune red currants after fruiting?
Each year, prune all the previous year’s growth back to a single bud. Remove any branches that have become unproductive, and replace them with a new shoot that will help to keep the shape of the bush. Remove any branches that hang low to the ground, as the fruits on these may rot or be eaten by pests. And that’s it!
Are redcurrants good for you?
If consumed regularly, redcurrants have been related with a decrease in the incidence of many chronic diseases, namely cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer (Zdunić et al., 2016).
How long do red currant bushes last?
Once planted, redcurrant plants will remain productive for almost 20 years. Even if you don’t want to eat the fruit, redcurrants are highly ornamental and a great way of attracting birds to your garden.
What can I do with too many redcurrants?
Need to use up a glut of redcurrants? These juicy little berries are ideal in summer puddings or in a traditional relish with a Sunday roast.
Redcurrant recipes
- Berry shortbread cheesecake slice.
- Redcurrant & red onion relish.
- Summer pudding.
- Raspberry & redcurrant cobbler.
What can I do with lots of red currants?
Combine low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt or ice cream, and blend with frozen currants and other frozen fruits. Currant Salsa. Make a sweet salsa with diced currants, mangos, pineapples, cilantro, garlic, red peppers, and chilies, drizzled with olive oil and a splash of lime juice. Serve with warmed pita and enjoy!
What goes well with red currants?
Currants, and specifically red currants can be used in place of blueberries, so you can use them as a topping on your cereal or your morning bowl of oatmeal. You can add them to your favourite muffin recipe or a quick loaf, for example.
How do you preserve red currants?
Dry Pack – Pack currants into containers, leaving headspace. Currants can also be frozen first on a tray and then packed into containers as soon as they are frozen. Seal containers and freeze. Syrup Pack – Pack currants into containers and cover with cold 50 percent syrup, leaving headspace.
How long do currants last?
Shelf life – Without refrigeration, currants do not have a long shelf life at all. However, when properly cooled and refrigerated, they can last one to two weeks. If frozen, they may last ten to twelve months.
How long can I keep red currants in the freezer?
If you are using a Freezer bag method, you can expect your currants to last from 3-6 months based on how much air you removed, the quality of the bag and where in your freezer you store it. Now you can use your currants just like fresh currants!
Are currants a laxative?
No, currants are not a laxative.
Are red currants A Superfood?
Currants contain powerful antioxidants which promote health and wellness within the body. Scientists are particularly interested in anthocyanin, an antioxidant that is found in high concentrations in currants.
Are redcurrants high in sugar?
The energy of the redcurrant comes mainly from its carbohydrates, at 7.06 g per 100 g. This amount is below the average content found in fresh fruit: about 11.31 g per 100 g. Its carbohydrates are mainly fructose (3.86 g per 100 g) and glucose (2.77 g per 100 g).
Should you top and tail blackcurrants before freezing?
Preparing Fresh Blackcurrants and Redcurrants For The Freezer. To prepare your black and redcurrants for the freezer give them a wash to remove any bugs or dirt that may be on them. There’s no need to top and tail them – that’s down to personal preference.
Can dogs eat red currants?
Overview. Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants are all potentially poisonous to dogs. If eaten they can cause gut problems and in serious cases, kidney failure.