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.
What season are red currants?
In season from July through to early September though, these berries are really quite the opposite of Winter: bright and fruity with a burst of flavour.
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 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 pick and clean red currants?
Redcurrants are very thin skinned fruit which makes it very difficult to pick individual berries without squashing them. Instead it is easiest to remove a whole string from the plant. Once harvested, the fruit can easily be removed by running a fork down the string of fruit.
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.
What can I do with lots of red currants?
Redcurrants, with their high pectin content, make beautiful jellies full of vigour that are perfect on toast or stirred into gravies and sauces to be served with lamb and game. Fresh redcurrants are essential in summer pudding, but also marry beautifully with strawberries for a cool, elegant, healthy dessert.
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!
How do you store red currants?
Storage. 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.
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.
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.
When should I prune my currants?
Prune in winter to leave between eight and ten healthy, strong main branches each year. On one-year-old bushes, prune back new shoots by half. Prune to an outward facing bud to influence the direction that the shoot grows, aiming for an open-centred goblet shape.
Should you cut back redcurrants?
Redcurrants and whitecurrants do not need the hard pruning that is recommended for Blackcurants and a framework of growth is left in place. Initially the leaders [main stems] can be shortened by up to one third to any outwardly facing bud.
Do red currants need a trellis?
Currant bushes will need a trellis that is in the full sun to part shade to thrive. Take care to notice what plants are around the area as well, see the companion plant section below. Water regularly.
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).
Can I prune red currants in summer?
Pruning currants: summer pruning
Shorten the shoots that bear fruit. Remove excessively steep, excess shoots (leave a total of about 10 two to three-year-old shoots; 10 new shoots for black currants) or injured new shoots.
How big do red currants grow?
Red and white currants yield 4-5 kg. Mature bushes occupy 2-2.5 square metres; they can be cordon-trained.
Are red currants invasive?
Ribes rubrum (Red Currant) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species, and for 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species.
How do you dry red 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).
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).