Blackcurrants (2024)

The most intensely coloured and flavoured of all currants, blackcurrants are highly aromatic and have a delicious tart flavour.

Recent research findings suggest that eating berry fruits such as blackcurrants can help prevent the onset of Alzheimers disease.

When are blackcurrants in season?

Blackcurrants are at their peak in June and July. You can buy frozen blackcurrants year-round.

Learn how to grow your own blackcurrants from the experts at Gardeners’ World.

Choose the best blackcurrants

Look for plump, firm currants with shiny, unbroken skins.

How to prepare blackcurrants

Strip the currants from their stalks. Add raw to fruits salads if they are not too tart or cook in a little water with sugar to taste. Do not overcook or they will lose their fresh flavour.

How to store blackcurrants

Can be kept in the fridge for several days. Suitable for freezing (see below)

How to freeze blackcurrants

  • Tip the berries onto a tray and remove any stems or unripe or damaged berries and leaves.
  • Weigh the berries and note the weight.
  • Rinse in cold water and dry completely.
  • Line a baking tray with baking parchment and arrange the berries on top in a single layer.
  • Freeze until the berries are solid.
  • Tip the frozen berries into a freezer bag and expel any excess air. Close and label with the date and weight, then return to the freezer.

How to cook blackcurrants

As blackcurrant juice, jam, tisane, jelly and in crème de cassis liquer. See our collection of blackcurrant recipes for more ideas.

Alternatives to blackcurrants

Try redcurrant or pinkcurrant.

See Also
Jam recipes
Blackcurrants (2024)

FAQs

Does black currant raise blood pressure? ›

Black currant may decrease blood pressure in some people. Taking black currant along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not take too much black currant if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.

What does the blackcurrant symbolize? ›

Black Currants, darkly hued and bursting with benefits, have woven their way into the cultural fabric of many societies. Prosperity and health are often symbolized by these berries, with their rich color and robust flavor hinting at hidden depths of tradition.

What does blackcurrant juice do to your body? ›

Blackcurrants have more than three times the vitamin C of oranges and anthocyanin levels second only to some types of blueberry (Bibliography Ref: 1). These anthocyanins can help fight against cardiovascular disease, ageing, joint inflammation, eyestrain, urinary infections, kidney stones and even cancer.

Is black currant good for kidneys? ›

Evidence found through scientific studies show that currants may also be very effective in preventing painful kidney stones from forming. In a recent study, subjects who drank black currant juice excreted more oxalic acid and citric acid.

Is too much black currant bad for you? ›

Are there side effects? Both blackcurrant berries and seed oil are considered safe at recommended doses. However, the supplements have been known to cause some side effects such as soft stools, mild diarrhea, and intestinal gas.

Are blackcurrants better for you than blueberries? ›

Blackcurrants are easy to incorporate into your diet.

If any of these have taken your fancy, then visit our website to discover more. Blackcurrants have twice as many antioxidants and anthocyanins than blueberries!

What are black currants called in America? ›

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.

Can you eat blackcurrants raw? ›

While black currants have a strong taste, they're delicious to eat raw when they're ripe.

Is black currant good for eyes? ›

Blackcurrants also contain flavonoids, which are compounds that have been shown to protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Flavonoids help to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to the eye.

What does black currant juice do for hair? ›

Minimizes Hair Loss and Boosts Hair Growth

Blackcurrant supplies your body with antioxidants that help keep your scalp healthy and stimulate hair growth. The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit can lower the inflammation of hair follicles in order to minimize hair breakage and shedding.

Does blackcurrant juice make you pee more? ›

There are a number of drinks that can irritate the bladder, such as caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks, drinks containing aspartame (an artificial sweetener found in diet drinks), hot chocolate, green tea, alcohol, blackcurrant juice and citrus fruit juice.

Is blackcurrant good for your liver? ›

Potential use of blackcurrant for the liver:

Blackcurrants are polyphenol-rich foods and may effectively protect the structural lipids and proteins. Blackcurrants cannot be considered a reliable cure for liver disease, but they may help aid healthy liver functioning.

Are blackcurrants a superfood? ›

Blackcurrants are packed with vitamin C and micronutrients – they're Britain's very own superfood.

Does black currant thin your blood? ›

Black currant may slow blood clotting. So avoid using it if you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners. Also, stop taking black currant at least two weeks before surgery in order to: Reduce the risk of bleeding.

What does black currant do for skin? ›

A Potent Source of Antioxidants

By neutralizing these free radicals, black currant helps in preventing premature aging, keeping your skin youthful and vibrant. But the benefits of antioxidants in black currant extend beyond just anti-aging. They also play a crucial role in skin repair and rejuvenation.

Does black currant interfere with medications? ›

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BLACK CURRANT.

Does Blackberry increase blood pressure? ›

Blackberry fruits and leaves are rich in phenolic acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. All of these compounds can contribute to blood vessel health and prevent illnesses like heart attacks and high blood pressure.

Is black raspberry good for high blood pressure? ›

Black raspberry regulates BP through the renin-angiotensin system. According to previous in vitro and in vivo studies, black raspberry decreases ACE and renin levels [42].

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