Blackcurrant
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Saxifragales Family: Grossulariaceae Genus: Ribes Species: R. nigrum
Binomial name
Ribes nigrum L.

The Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is a species of Ribes berry native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia. In French it is called a "cassis". Image File history File links Schwarzejohannisbeere. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants or angiosperms are the most widespread group of land plants. ... Magnoliopsida is the botanical name for a class: this name is formed by replacing the termination -aceae in the name Magnoliaceae by the termination -opsida (Art 16 of the ICBN). ... Families See text. ... For the commune of the Ardèche in southern France, see Ribes, France. ... Species Syme whitecurrant L. redcurrant L. blackcurrant L. Eurasian gooseberry North American gooseberry Flowering currant Northern red currant Miccosukee Gooseberry and about 150 others The genus Ribes of flowering plants is the only one placed in the family Grossulariaceae. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 23, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Species Syme whitecurrant L. redcurrant L. blackcurrant L. Eurasian gooseberry North American gooseberry Flowering currant Northern red currant Miccosukee Gooseberry and about 150 others The genus Ribes of flowering plants is the only one placed in the family Grossulariaceae. ... Several types of berries from the market. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ...

Blackcurrant

It is a small shrub growing to 1-2 m tall. The leaves are alternate, simple, 4-9 cm long and broad, and palmately lobed with five lobes, with a serrated margin. The flowers are 4-6 mm diameter, with five reddish-green to brownish petals; they are produced in racemes 5-10 cm long. The fruit is an edible berry 1 cm diameter, very dark purple in colour, almost black, with a glossy skin and a persistent calyx at the apex, and containing several seeds. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 × 2304 pixel, file size: 2. ... A broom shrub in flower A shrub or bush is a horticultural rather than strictly botanical category of woody plant, distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and lower height, usually less than 6 m tall. ... Look up foliage in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Flower (disambiguation). ... This inflorescence of the terrestrial orchid Spathoglottis plicata is a typical raceme. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... Several types of berries from the market. ... A ripe red jalapeño cut open to show the seeds For other uses, see Seed (disambiguation). ...

Plants from Asia are sometimes distinguished as a separate variety Ribes nigrum var. sibiricum, or even as a distinct species Ribes cyathiforme.

Cultivation and uses

The fruit has a high natural vitamin C content. Like the redcurrant (and unlike the Zante currant, a type of grape which is often dried), it is classified in the genus Ribes. This article is about the nutrient. ... Binomial name L. The Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family Grossulariaceae, native to parts of western Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and northern Italy). ... A Zante currant is a variety of small, sweet, seedless grape named for the Ionian island Zakynthos. ... It has been suggested that Veraison be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Species Syme whitecurrant L. redcurrant L. blackcurrant L. Eurasian gooseberry North American gooseberry Flowering currant Northern red currant Miccosukee Gooseberry and about 150 others The genus Ribes of flowering plants is the only one placed in the family Grossulariaceae. ...

In addition to the high levels of vitamin C, studies have also shown concentrated blackcurrant to be an effective Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (Bormann, et al. 1991.) Fifty grams of 5.5X concentrate was found to inhibit 92% of the Monoamine oxidase enzymes. Blackcurrant seed oil is a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a very rare essential fatty acid. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 essential fatty acid found primarily in vegetable oils. ... Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that cannot be constructed within an organism from other components (generally all references are to humans) by any known chemical pathways; and therefore must be obtained from the diet. ...

When not in fruit, the plant looks very similar to the redcurrant shrub; they may be distinguished by the strong odour of the leaves and stems of the blackcurrant ^{[citation needed]}.

In Russia, it is common to infuse slightly sweetened vodka with blackcurrant leaves, making a deep yellowish-green beverage with a sharp flavour and an astringent taste ^{[citation needed]}. Blackcurrant berries can also be used to flavour vodka. In the UK, blackcurrant juice is often mixed with cider to make a drink called Cider & Black. This drink can be ordered at most pubs. It is also believed that adding a small amount of blackcurrant to Guinness will bring out a sweeter taste in the beer, making it a better beverage in some beer-drinkers' opinions. Vodka bottling machine, Shatskaya Vodka Shatsk, Russia Vodka (Polish: wódka, Russian: водка) is one of the worlds most popular distilled beverages. ... Cider in a pint glass Cider (or cyder) is an alcoholic beverage made primarily from the juices of specially grown varieties of apples. ... Guinness logo Guinness is Good for You - Irish language advertisement. ...

Blackcurrants have a very sweet and sharp taste. They are made into jelly, jam, juice, ice cream, cordial and liqueur. In the UK, Europe and Commonwealth countries, some types of confectionery include a blackcurrant flavour, but this is generally missing in the United States, even within the same brand. Instead grape flavour in candy (including grape jelly) almost mirrors the use of blackcurrant in both its ubiquity in the USA, and its rarity on the eastern side of the Atlantic. Taste is one of the traditional five senses and refers to the ability to detect the flavor of foodstuffs and other substances (e. ... Jam from berries Fruit preserves refers to fruit, or vegetables, that have been prepared and canned for long term storage. ... Jam from berries Jam (also known as jelly or preserves) is a type of sweet spread or condiment made with fruits or sometimes vegetables, sugar, and sometimes pectin if the fruits natural pectin content is insufficient to produce a thick product. ... For other uses, see Juice (disambiguation). ... Missing image Ice cream is often served on a stick Boxes of ice cream are often found in stores in a display freezer. ... Look up cordial in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Bottles of strawberry liqueur A liqueur is a sweet alcoholic beverage, often flavoured with fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, seeds, roots, plants, barks, and sometimes cream. ... It has been suggested that Candy be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Veraison be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Candy (disambiguation). ... Jam from berries Fruit preserves refers to fruit, or vegetables, that have been prepared and canned for long term storage. ... “Atlantic” redirects here. ...

History

Currant and gooseberry output in 2005

During World War II most fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, became almost impossible to obtain in the United Kingdom. Since blackcurrant berries are a rich source of vitamin C and blackcurrant plants are suitable for growing in the UK climate, blackcurrant cultivation was encouraged by the British government. Soon, the yield of the nation's crop increased significantly. From 1942 on almost the entire British blackcurrant crop was made into blackcurrant syrup (or cordial) and distributed to the nation's children free, giving rise to the lasting popularity of blackcurrant flavourings in Britain. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 351 pixelsFull resolution (1425 × 625 pixel, file size: 58 KB, MIME type: image/png)This bubble map shows the global distribution of currant and gooseberry output in 2005 as a percentage of the top producer (Russia - 463,500 tonnes). ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 351 pixelsFull resolution (1425 × 625 pixel, file size: 58 KB, MIME type: image/png)This bubble map shows the global distribution of currant and gooseberry output in 2005 as a percentage of the top producer (Russia - 463,500 tonnes). ... Binomial name L. Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ribes uva-crispa See Physalis peruviana for the tomato-like fruit commonly known as the Cape gooseberry and kiwifruit for the fruit sometimes known as the Chinese gooseberry. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Orange blossoms and oranges on tree For other uses of orange, see orange (disambiguation) The Orange Citrus x sinensis is a Citrus tree, and the fruits of this tree. ... This article is about the nutrient. ...

Blackcurrants were once popular in the United States as well, but they became extremely rare in the 20th century after currant farming was banned in the early 1900s. The ban was enacted when it was discovered that blackcurrants helped to spread the tree disease White Pine Blister Rust, which was thought to threaten the then-booming U.S. lumber industry ^[1]. Binomial name Cronartium ribicola J.C.Fisch. ...

The federal ban on growing currants was shifted to individual States’ jurisdiction in 1966. The ban was lifted in New York State in 2003 as a result of the efforts of Greg Quinn and The Currant Company and currant growing is making a comeback in several states including Vermont, New York, Connecticut and Oregon.^[2] However, several statewide bans still exist including Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.^[3]. Since the federal ban ceased currant production anywhere in the U.S., the fruit is not well-known and has yet to reach the popularity that it had in the U.S. in the 19th century or that it currently has in Europe and the UK. The first nationally available black currant beverage in the U.S. since the ban was lifted in many states is a powerful health-food nectar under the brand name CurrantC. Since black currants are a strong source of antioxidants and vitamins (much like pomegranate juice), awareness and popularity are once again growing in the U.S. Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... Greg Quinn, with the help of several NYS Senators and Assemblypersons, has successfully led the effort to overturn the ban on the commercial cultivation of currants in the U.S. in 2003. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the state. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Largest metro area Hartford Area  Ranked 48th  - Total 5,543[2] sq mi (14,356 km²)  - Width 70 miles (113 km)  - Length 110 miles (177 km)  - % water 12. ... Official language(s) (none)[1] Capital Salem Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 9th  - Total 98,466 sq mi (255,026 km²)  - Width 260 miles (420 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 2. ... Official language(s) None (English and French de facto) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 39th  - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²)  - Width 210 miles (338 km)  - Length 320 miles (515 km)  - % water 13. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area  Ranked 46th  - Total 9,350 sq mi (24,217 km²)  - Width 68 miles (110 km)  - Length 190 miles (305 km)  - % water 4. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Binomial name L. For the color see: Pomegranate (color) The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 5–8 m tall. ...

Blackcurrants shrub

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1536x2048, 1389 KB) Blackcurrant bush. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1536x2048, 1389 KB) Blackcurrant bush. ...

Cooking

Other than being juiced and used in jellies, syrups, and cordials, blackcurrants are used in cooking because their astringent nature brings out the flavour in many sauces and meat dishes and lends them to desserts. It was once thought that currants needed to be "topped and tailed" (the stalk and flower-remnants removed) before cooking. This however is not the case as these parts are easily assimilated during the cooking process. If one prefers to do this, however, the blackcurrants can be frozen, then shaken vigorously. The tops and tails are broken off and can be separated easily from the fruit.

Notes

See also

• Redcurrant
• Cecidophyopsis ribis - the blackcurrant gall mite
• Ribena

Binomial name L. The Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family Grossulariaceae, native to parts of western Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and northern Italy). ... Binomial name Westwood The mite Cecidophyopsis ribis is an eriophyid mite which is best known for being a pest on blackcurrants. ... Ribena (trademark) is a brand of uncarbonated soft drink made by GlaxoSmithKline, containing blackcurrant juice. ...

External links

 Flora Europaea: Ribes nigrum] 

• Extensive website about black currants
• The Blackcurrant Foundation
• Are They Currants or Raisins?: A short essay making a case that blackcurrants are real currants while "Zante currants" (which are known simply as "currants" in the U.S. and some other parts of the world) are not. It shows no awareness of the theory that blackcurrants and redcurrants took their English name from Zante currants, which seem be the same fruits that were called "raysons of coraunce" (with various spellings) in Middle English, from Old French "raisins de Corauntz". It also mistakenly gives the confusion a recent date.

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Ribes nigrum