what are white currants used for

White currant benefits for health may include:

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Full Answer

What can you do with white currants?

Culinary uses. They are often served raw and provide a sweetly tart flavor. White currant preserves, jellies, wines and syrups are also produced. In particular, white currants are the classic ingredient in the highly regarded Bar-le-duc or Lorraine jelly although preparations made of red currants can also be found.

What is the difference between red and white currant?

The white currant is actually an albino cultivar of the red currant but is marketed as a different fruit. White currants are rarely specified in savoury cooking recipes compared with their red counterparts. They are often served raw and provide a sweetly tart flavor. White currant preserves, jellies, wines and syrups are also produced.

What are the health benefits of currants?

In particular, white currants are the classic ingredient in the highly regarded Bar-le-duc or Lorraine jelly although preparations made of red currants can also be found. The berries are a good source of vitamins C, B and K, and are rich in iron, phosphorus and manganese.

What is black currant used for?

Black currant is also a plant that is used to make a therapeutic oil, derived from the leaves, fruit and flowers of the plant. According to studies, black currant seed oil is used for treating conditions like: high cholesterol and blood pressure, digestive issues, pain, arthritis, infections, and menopause and PMS symptoms.

Can you eat white currants raw?

Redcurrants and whitecurrants, while still tart, are sweeter. Both can be eaten raw, when properly sun-ripened, but they do best with other fruits.

How do you use fresh white currants?

They grow in clusters on woody stalks and have a sweeter flavour than redcurrants. Uses: Combine whitecurrants with red and blackcurrants for a contrast in colour and flavour and use to top meringues or in tarts and pastries. To store: Keep in the fridge for 2-3 days or until the best before date.

Do white currants taste good?

Description/Taste Though still quite tart, White currants are considerably sweeter than the black and red varieties, offering a floral aroma and flavors of sour cherry, kiwi, Muscat grape and a lingering residual sugar.

What are white currants good for?

Health. White currant benefits for health may include: calmed throat irritation and cough. detoxed kidneys (diuretic)

How do you know when a white currant is ripe?

Whitecurrants are ready for harvesting in summer when the fruits and firm and juicy. All berries will not ripen at the same time, so pick every week during dry weather over the course of 2-3 weeks; if the fruits are wet they will not store well, but turn mouldy.

Can I freeze white currants?

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. Seal and freeze.

Where do white currants grow?

Where to plant. Whitecurrants like moist, well-drained soil, but will grow in a range of soil conditions. They crop best in full sun, but will also grow in partial shade. They are a useful fruit to grow against a north-facing wall, although the currants will ripen later than in sun and be less sweet.

What is the difference between a raisin and a currant?

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.

Do white currants turn pink?

When made into jams and jellies, the result is usually pink. White currants are actually an albino cultivar of red currants but are marketed as a different fruit. On the plant the small round berries first appear green but then ripen to creamy shades of pink and translucent white, depending on the variety.

Are white currant berries edible?

The flesh is soft and pulp, there is a juicy texture and there are small edible seeds. White currants are sweeter than the black and red varieties, they have a low acidity and a sweet flavour profile.

Do white currants turn red?

Appearance and flavour: White currant berries are slightly smaller and sweeter than red currants, and they turn a delightful light pink colour when cooked in jams or jellies.

Are currants good eating?

Currants are an excellent source of antioxidants and polyphenol compounds (1) (flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, procyanidins, resveratrol) and it has a very high antioxidant content (2).

What can you do with currants?

How to Use Currants. 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.

Are white currants sour?

Unlike red and black currants, which are generally considered too strong and sour for fresh consumption, white currants are sweeter and more delicate.

Can you use currants instead of raisins?

Raisins, sultanas and currants are all incredibly versatile and can be eaten alone, as a snack or added to rice dishes, stews, salads, oatmeal and baked goods. Despite their slight differences in size and taste, each can be used in many of the same recipes and can be easily substituted for one another.

How do you prune a white currant bush UK?

Pruning established cordonsIn early spring, cut new growth on the main vertical stem by a quarter of the previous year's growth, or by half if growth is weak. ... In early summer, once the cordon has reached the required height, cut to one bud of new growth each year.

Buying, Cooking, and Recipes

An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.

What Are Currants?

Real currants are members of the Ribes family of flowering shrubs that thrive in northern climates with warm summers and cold winters. The tiny berries grow in clusters on stems and are best when allowed to ripen on the plant. Currants have long been cultivated in Europe.

How to Use Currants

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.

What Does It Taste Like?

Currants have a sweet and sour berry flavor. All varieties have a bright acid kick to balance out their sweetness, and a fair amount of tannins that can make your mouth pucker.

Currant Recipes

Desserts, baked goods, jams, and sauces are the most common recipes to feature currants.

Where to Buy Currants

Fresh currants are not widely available in the U.S. and they tend to cost a bit more than other berries. Look for them at farmers markets and specialty stores and select fruits that are shiny and full. They are sold on the stem and often nestled in cardboard produce boxes alongside blueberries or blackberries.

Storage

Like all berries, fresh currants have a relatively short lifespan. They are best stored loosely wrapped or covered and chilled. Rinse fresh currants just before using them, and gently pat them thoroughly dry with a clean towel.

Current Facts

White currants are botanically classified as Ribes sativum, the same species as red currants. They are technically an albino version of the red currant and can range in color from white, yellow or pink. As a rule, white fruits usually have a higher sugar content and lower acidity than their colored counterparts, and White currants are no exception.

Applications

Opposed to the red and black varieties, White currants are rarely used in savory applications. Their low acidity and sweet flavor profile is best reserved for desserts or other confections. Their high pectin content make them a natural choice for jams, jellies or tart fillings, though it is best to sieve out the small seeds.

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include White Currant Berries. One is easiest, three is harder.

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Someone shared White Currant Berries using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android .

Varieties of White Currants

White currants are usually slightly smaller than black or red currants. Many varieties are self-fertile.

Planting White Currants

The key to successfully growing white currants is to remember they like a cooler climate.

Caring for White Currants

Give a monthly feed of a well balanced liquid fertilizer. If you find the leaves start to brown around the edges, provide your white currant with potash or a potassium-based fertilizer.

Companion Planting for Growing White Currants

I find gooseberries are one of the best companions for white currants. Currants also grow well with marigolds, chive, and garlic.

Common Problems and Solutions for Growing White Currant

There are a lot of fungal diseases that affect white currant, but there are also varieties available that are resistant to many of the problems.

Harvesting White Currants

White currants are less acidic than red or black varieties, so they’re particularly tasty straight off the plant.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to growing fruit, I find white currants incredibly rewarding. You get a big harvest from one plant and there’s nothing tastier than nibbling on sun-warmed currants fresh off the bush. Let us know your favorite way to eat this uncommon treat.

Cultivation

Unlike their close relative the blackcurrant, red and white currants are cultivated for their ornamental value as well as their berries.

Culinary uses

White currant berries are slightly smaller and sweeter than red currants. When made into jams and jellies the result is normally pink. The white currant is actually an albino cultivar of the red currant but is marketed as a different fruit. White currants are rarely specified in savoury cooking recipes compared with their red counterparts.

What Are Currants?

The definition of a currant is “a small dried fruit made from a seedless variety of grape, originally grown in the eastern Mediterranean region, now widely produced in California, and much used in cooking.”

Currants vs. Raisins

What is the difference between a currant and a raisin? Most regular raisins come from the Thompson Seedless grapes variety.

Nutrition

According to an article published by the Politismos Museum, “Greek currants are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, soluble and insoluble fiber and they provide a plethora of vitamins and minerals, including a complex of B vitamins, potassium, calcium and iron…”

Health Benefits

Currants contain a variety of different polyphenol antioxidants, which have been linked with cancer prevention, heart health, obesity and even diabetes prevention.

How to Use

Although pretty sweet, currants can also be described tangy, tart and acidic, so they “can make your mouth pucker” a bit, according to The Spruce Eats. They are said to have a more “intense” flavor than undried black grapes and most raisins.

How to Store

Dried currants should be stored in a cool, dim place away from lots of heat, moisture or sunlight.

How to Preserve

You can use fresh currants to make homemade jams and jellies. Because they contain pectin fiber which forms a gel, they make an ideal fruit to use in jams.

What Are Currants?

Currants, also called Zante currants or Black Corinth raisins, are dried berries that come from seedless Black Corinth grapes. These are not to be confused with black, red, or white currants, which are grape-like berries that come from shrubs and are not usually eaten dried.

Currant History

The word “currant” is derived from “Corinth,” a Greek city famous for its small, dark grapes.

What Do They Look Like?

Dried currants are tiny, bluish brown/black raisins. Their wrinkles are fine to medium, but quite distinct.

What Do They Taste Like?

Currants are quite flavorful. They taste like regular raisins, but since they’re small, they’re a bit more intense.

Currant Benefits

Though they’re small, currants pack a healthy punch. Nutritional highlights include:

What to Do With Currants

Because of their tender skin and small size, currants are often used for cooking and baking. For a sweet treat, we recommend stirring currants into scone dough instead of regular raisins.

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