Hi all, I was given two little black currant sprigs a few years back. They mainly just sat there not apparently doing much. Or at least not much above ground. This year they have popped and are now flowering. Looks like I'll get some Currants this year. I can't say I have ever had a fresh one, only dried like raisins or in jellies. What does one do with currants? Is it obvious when to harvest them?
One eats the currants. Black currants are the best tasting of the currants. When ripe they go black and soft. One could also make delicious jam.
There are a number of things you can do with currents. First thing I would want to know is what type you have. The red one, the dark purple one or the white one? Some types must be covered well to protect your berries from hungry birds. We have grown these, but had a yearly problem of little worms in the fruits, so the Bride wanted them out...we gave our bushes away. Current bushes over here are very popular.
I grow black currants just for the birds now - they love the dark purple berries. I used to grow them for ourselves but had to be up before dawn, when they ripened, or they'd all be gone by around 8am.
Wow! Okay now. I guess the birds are a real problem! I have netting I can put over them. The bushes are quite small yet, they should be easy to cover. Sjoerd, I was told these were black Currants. I got them at a plant swap, so who really knows what they are? Time will tell!
Too bad you don't live here, A garden lady is stopping with gardening and is looking to get rid of a pan set to make sauces, drinks jams and so forth. She used to give me bottles of black current sauce. I stirred it through my yoghurt. Delish.
I have 3 black current bushes in my garden. One would have been sufficient for my needs. They grow well, have few pests and so far (touch wood) I haven't had a problem with the birds. I make jam, freeze some for smoothies and crisps. I'm looking for more ideas! I usually sell a bunch on one of our local buy and sell pages. They sell out quick!
I grow blackcurrants and use them in a mixed fruit compote or with a few in apple and blackcurrant pie, in a crumble with other fruits and a summer pudding, also I make jam but only if there's any left and can freeze them. Haven't had trouble with the birds. But I grow white, red and pinkcurrants, the birds like them but i grow so many that it's not a real problem.
