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.
Can you eat fresh currants?
Fresh, they can be tossed into just about any dish or salad in which lesser raisins are deployed, where I guarantee that currants will be a piquant upgrade. They are the fruit equivalent of a caper, if a caper delivered tart instead of salty.
What do fresh currants taste like?
What do red currants taste like? About the size of a pencil eraser, these lush, gem-like berries taste like raspberries and rhubarb had a delicious baby: tart, but not too mouth-puckering to eat on their own.
How do you know when currants are ripe?
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.
Which is healthier currants or 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. Both of these dried fruits contain no fat.
Are raisins and currants the same thing?
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.
What are currants called in America?
A currant is a type of raisin. Raisins are dried grapes. There are plenty of varieties, but in the U.S., “raisin” typically refers to dark-colored dried large grape. As currants come from Black Corinth grapes, golden raisins come from sultana grapes.
How do you store 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.
Can I use currants instead of raisins?
You can use Zante currants and raisins (both of which are dried grapes) in sweet or savory dishes, such as sweet buns, cereals, granola, trail mix, or chutneys.
How do you dry currants?
Place currants in a single layer on your dehydrator trays; I like to keep some space between the berries so be sure to use two trays if needed. Set your dehydrator to the fruit and berry setting (typically around 115 degrees fahrenheit, but check instructions on your dehydrator for suggestions).
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.
Do you have to top and tail blackcurrants?
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.
Does currants come back every year?
Most currants and gooseberries are self-fruitful. One variety will set fruit on its own. Prune annually to remove weak or dead canes and to open up the canopy. Expect to get fruit 1 to 3 years after planting.
What time of year do currants ripen?
Currants and gooseberries ripen in June and July, depending on cultivar. Berries do not drop immediately upon ripening, so they usually can be harvested in one or two pickings. Currants can be picked in clusters, and gooseberries are picked as individual fruits.
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.
Can dogs eat 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.
Can dogs eat grapes?
Do not share any food that may contain grapes or raisins with your dog, and especially do not use grapes as treats for your dog. While one grape may not cause a problem for most dogs, it is a good idea to avoid this habit and risk a potential poisoning.
What fruit are currants?
dried grape
Currants are the smallest dried grape, smaller than both raisins and sultanas.
Do currants have seeds in them?
CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES
The fruits of currants and gooseberry are true berries with the seeds enclosed in a fleshy pericarp.
Are currants the same as sultanas?
Sultanas are small raisins. They are seedless, sweet, pale golden in colour and come mainly from Turkey. Currants are dried, black, seedless grapes originally produced in Greece. They were known as ‘raisins of the sun’.
What is the difference between sultanas and currants?
The main difference currants sultanas and raisins is their taste and appearance. Currants are darker in colour and have an intense, sweet and tangy taste while sultanas are lighter in colour, sweeter and juicier than currants and raisins. Raisins are darker in colour and are larger than both sultanas and currants.