
The Differences Between Blueberries and Black Currants
- Blueberry Types and Growth Habits. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are deciduous shrubs that produce clusters of small purple-blue berries in the summer.
- Black Currant Types and Growth Habits. The European black currant (Ribes nigrum) is a deciduous shrub that reaches a height of about 6 feet.
- Soil Preferences. ...
- Winter Hardiness. ...
Why is blackcurrant better than blueberry?
Why is Blackcurrant better than Blueberry? 5.5x more iron per 100g? 4x more magnesium per 100g? 1.89x more proteins per 100g? 10.53% more food energy (kcal) per 100g? 4.92x more phosphorus per 100g? 10% more food energy (kJ) per 100g? 24.24% more lipids per 100g? 22.6% more polyunsaturated fatty acids per 100g?
What is the color of blackcurrant?
Of a dark blue colour. The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), also known as black currant or cassis, is a deciduous shrub in the family Grossulariaceae grown for its edible berries. It is native to temperate parts of central and northern Europe and northern Asia, where it prefers damp fertile soils.
What is the difference between European and American black currant?
The European black currant (Ribes nigrum) is a deciduous shrub that reaches a height of about 6 feet. American black currant (Ribes americanum), also sometimes called wild black currant, is a low-growing shrub that generally grows to between 3 and 6 feet in height; it is native to North America and is considered an invasive weed in some areas.
Do black currants like acidic soil?
Black currants, by contrast, don't like acidic soil and do best when the soil pH is near neutral, with a level between 6.7 and 7. However, both plants like well-drained soil that's rich in organic matter. Blueberries are especially intolerant of excessive moisture, and their shallow root systems are easily damaged by standing water.

Are blackcurrants better than blueberries?
The most significant is vitamin C. In fact, blackcurrants carry four times the amount of vitamin C as oranges, and double the amount of antioxidants as blueberries. The benefits of vitamin C are many. The body uses vitamin C to metabolize protein and form collagen, which is essential for skin care and anti-aging.
Does blackcurrant taste like blueberry?
Fresh Black Currant has a tangy, passion fruit-like flavor with a blackberry flavor similar to raspberry, but it's more earthy. The juiciness of blackcurrants is the most noticeable aspect of their texture. This is understandable given how pulpy and moist most berries are.
Is black currant and black berry same?
Blackcurrants and blackberries are quite different fruits that have a different flavor, shape, and size. Blackberries are approximately the size of a grape and are made up of individual segments that are significantly sweeter than blackcurrant which is around the size of a pea in most cases.
Why is black currant a forbidden fruit?
The federal government had banned the growing of black and red currants in 1911 when the burgeoning logging industry put pressure on lawmakers to eliminate the currants because they were thought to be an intermediate host of white pine blister rust.
Which fruit is black currant?
The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), also known as black currant or cassis, is a deciduous shrub in the family Grossulariaceae grown for its edible berries....BlackcurrantFamily:GrossulariaceaeGenus:RibesSpecies:R. nigrumBinomial name11 more rows
What fruit is similar to black currant?
Thorny Imposter. Ribes divaricatum, also called straggly gooseberry, spreading gooseberry and coast black gooseberry, is a black gooseberry that has a papery tail similar to that found on black currants. The plant is spiny, though, and the flowers tend to droop when they bloom in March through May.
Do blackberries and blackcurrants taste the same?
Blackberries are sweeter than blackcurrants - which are knees up to the chest sour and full of pips and generally nasty beasts - you were lucky she got it wrong.
Is a black currant a berry?
Overview - Black currant. Blackcurrant is a berry of translucent pulp with red or green tones and bittersweet taste. The fruit is small, of black-blue colour and spherical shape, with an intense taste when completely ripe. This berry is covered with hair and its pulp contains multiple small seeds.
What does blackcurrant jam taste like?
When fresh, it tastes tart like a passion fruit with a dark berry flavor not unlike raspberry, but it's distinctly earthy.
Is Ribena illegal in America?
Current restrictions. By 2003 restrictions on Ribes cultivation had been lifted across most of the states, though some bans remain, particularly on the blackcurrant. State laws are enforced with varying degrees of efficiency and enthusiasm; in some states, officials effectively ignore the ban.
Why is blackcurrant illegal in USA?
The nutrient-rich berries were banned in 1911 because they were thought to produce a fungus that could damage pine trees. As new disease-resistant berries were produced and new ways to prevent the fungus from damaging timber were developed, some states started to lift the ban in 2003.
Is black currant good for you?
Black currants are high in antioxidants, including vitamin C. Along with the anthocyanins in black currants, these antioxidants can help to give your immune system a boost, allowing your body to fight infection and viruses more effectively. Black currants are rich in an omega-6 fatty acid called gamma-linoleic acid.
What is the taste of blueberry?
What Do They Taste Like? Most blueberries have a sweet taste with a bit of acid. They are not overly sweet fruits, and unripe blueberries will taste sour. They are small but juicy and will release juice when you bite down.
What is the difference between currants and berries?
The fruits of some "currants" (Ribes species), such as blackcurrants, red currants and white currants, are botanical berries, and are treated as horticultural berries (or as soft fruit in the UK), even though their most commonly used names do not include the word "berry".
Is blackcurrant and grape same?
Raisins (dried grapes) and Black Currants are entirely different fruits from very different botanical families. Grapes belong to the genus Vitus and Currants belong to the genus Ribes.
What is the difference between blueberry and blackberry?
Blackberries are summer fruits with a distinct purple-black color. Blueberries are indigo-colored summer fruits and taste sweet when ripe. While blackberries aid in digestion and slow the growth of tumors, blueberries are a great source of antioxidants which help fight Alzheimer's and improve cardiovascular health.
What is the difference between blueberries and black currants?
Some types of black currant grow wild in parts of the United States. Both blueberries and black currants are small, dark-colored berries that grow in dense clusters on the branches of their bushes.
Where does black currant grow?
American black currant (Ribes americanum), also sometimes called wild black currant, is a low-growing shrub that generally grows to between 3 and 6 feet in height; it is native to North America and is considered an invasive weed in some areas. Both species produce small, purple-black berries in the summer.
What blueberries are cold hardy?
The bushes can withstand winter cold in these zones, but their flowers may be damaged by freezing temperatures in the spring. Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are somewhat more sensitive to cold and more tolerant of heat; they are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. Lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) are, in general, more cold hardy; some varieties are hardy in USDA zones 2 to 8. Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) are the least cold tolerant of the blueberry species -- they can handle winters only in USDA zones 8 to 10.
How big do blueberries get?
The size of the bushes varies depending on the species. Full-sized bushes, called highbush blueberries, may grow as high as 5 feet with a similar spread, and some varieties of heat-loving rabbiteye blueberries may grow to twice that height.
What is a blueberry bush?
Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are deciduous shrubs that produce clusters of small purple-blue berries in the summer. The sweet berries are highly desirable as a fresh fruit, and are a favorite food of wildlife. The size of the bushes varies depending on the species. Full-sized bushes, called highbush blueberries, ...
Which blueberry is the least cold tolerant?
Lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) are, in general, more cold hardy; some varieties are hardy in USDA zones 2 to 8. Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) are the least cold tolerant ...
What is a low bush blueberry?
Low-growing species, called low bush blueberries, tend to hug the ground and may get no taller than a foot or two. Hybrids of lowbush and highbush types, called half-high bushes, grow to somewhere in between and have been developed largely for their cold tolerance. Advertisement.
What is the difference between blackcurrants and blueberries?
Blackcurrants are a dark purple colour and have a shiny skin. Blueberries on the other hand have a duller, more dusty skin and are lighter and bluer. Blueberries are also generally larger than their blackcurrant relatives. Both grow in clusters on broad bushes that are usually no higher than head height.
Which is better, blackcurrant or blueberry?
Blackcurrants have much higher levels of vitamin C than blueberries. They also have higher levels of vitamin A, niacin, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and protein. Blueberries are higher in vitamin B12, vitamin K and vitamin E. Both have high levels of antioxidants as is common in darker, purple or blue fruits.
What color are blackcurrants?
Blackcurrants are a dark purple colour and have a shiny skin.
Fact 1: There is More Calories in Blackcurrants
At first glance, you can see that in blackcurrants is more calories than in blueberries.
More protein in blackcurrants
It is aslo easy to see see that in blackcurrants is more protein than in blueberries.
