This is important for digestion, heart health, weight loss and management, and general wellbeing. The berries are smaller than a blueberry. I also want to know what they are. Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the For prolonged storage like up to a year, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. A true currant grows in a shrub form and is extremely hardy. Like other types of raisins, currants are a great source of soluble and insoluble fiber. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. Roll them on the tongue, and time slows and clouds overhead move more lazily. Among other things, consuming an adequate amount of manganese is necessary for proper nervous system function. If they're not raisins, I think it's time for me to try them! Learn about a little known plugin that tells you if you're getting the best price on Amazon. The first—resembling a tiny, dark raisin—is the seedless, dried Zante grape ( champagne grapes). I would take some raisins and chop them up a bit, then measure out the amount that you need for the currants. If you’re in the mood for something savory, currants will add a touch of sweetness and texture to your breads, salads, or holiday stuffings. White … currant from Food Network. Currants are high in vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium and iron. My personal favorite is a craisin. There are two distinctly different fruits called currant. Good question. What are currants: the confusion explained by THE NIBBLE, Great Food Finds, a gourmet food webzine with thousands of product reviews and recipes including currants. Tart and sweet, currants are a good source of vitamin C, high in fiber, and a good source of potassium, too. Popped in the mouth, they taste like summer itself. Most climates are friendly to currants, which thrive under lower light conditions. Currants are quite flavorful. Currants are glossy red or black berries that grow on thornless upright shrubs. That’s why they’re sometimes called “Zante currants.”. just purchased a jar of currant jam. The Spruce Eats / Hilary Allison 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. Currants are substituted for raisins in this sweet yeast bun recipe.This recipe by Leah Eskin was originally published in the Chicago Tribune. They contain a great deal of copper, which is used by the body to synthesize collagen and to promote the absorption of iron. The leaves look right, the fruit grows the same, same color, same little bit of ex flower on the bottom of the berry as a currant has, except they're large and very sweet. The white currant is actually an albino cultivar of the red currant but is marketed as a different fruit. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time. My grandma has always been obsessed with currants … exciting challenge of being a wiseGEEK researcher and writer. Exactly like a very large sweet currant. Cooking with Currants and Raisins. The Best Dried Currants Recipes on Yummly | Spiced Dried Fruit Cake With Rum Butter Glaze, Miniature Muffins With Currants And Dill, Blueberry Cream Cheese Ghost Hand Pies White currants are actually a red varietal. The berries should be plump, glossy and a little bit firm when they are purchased, and they can be stored for as long as three days under refrigeration. The Rocky Mountains in Cooking with Currants Some currants can be eaten out of hand (especially if you are down with tart fruit), but they are most commonly turned into sauces, jams, jellies and desserts. MyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. If currants are what you’re looking for, look for stuff labeled as ‘blackcurrants’. Is Amazon actually giving you the best price? Better too hard than too soft. Mouths have been known to pucker while tasting a currant. It will be delicious on a hot biscuit. From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. What Are Currants and What Do You Do With Them? Page 1 of 2: Hi everyone! When we are talking about dried fruits, raisins are dried, dark red, seedless grapes. In some places, the dried fruits sold at grocery stores as “currants” are actually dried Zante raisins from Greece. Dried currants are used in many baked goods. How to make a lattice pie crust. I've always been told that currants were small raisins, and I can't stand raisins so I never tried currants. They pair beautifully with other summer fruits (think blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and peaches), mint, hard cheeses (like cheddar) and meat, especially pork and game birds like duck. Currants simply don't taste cultivated. These plants also have a strong will to live and have been known to propagate themselves from cuttings. This little known plugin reveals the answer. It tastes very good. Raisins, sultanas, and Zante currants are all sweet dried fruits that stem from different varieties of vine-grown grapes, while currants really are a fresh bush-grown berry that is tart rather than sweet. Just this week I saw in my local organic grocery, a specialty cross between a strawberry and cherry. They are often served raw and provide a sweetly tart flavor. It's less common in the United States, but several substitutes can fill in. Currant jelly is deliciously sweet and tart and found in a range of cuisines. Story. They’re not true currants because they come from grapes that are about 1/4th size of regular grapes. When buying fresh currants, look for deep rep color and just a hint of softness. Currants are tart and can vary in colour: there are white currants, red currants, and even black currants (known as cassis in French ). Ostrich - Currents are similar to raisins but hey are sweeter and don't have as strong a taste as raisins. As long as they are protected from a hard freeze with plenty of mulch around their roots, these plants will live to bear fruit year after year. I have what I think are black currants growing wild on my property. Raisins are dried white Moscatel grapes. We inherited about nine currant bushes on our allotment and they're fruit are just starting to ripen. “It then dropped out of written history until the eleventh century, when trade of this type of raisin between the Greek producers and the Venetians were recorded.”, By the 17th-century, trade shifted toward a group of Greek islands, particularly Zakynthos (Zante). Currants (including red currants) are closely related to the gooseberry family, and each currant has a distinct flavour. You can do this by placing the currants in a small bowl covered with water or even sherry or brandy and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes. They are the garden's wild thing, the counterpoint to the more reserved blueberry or juicy-sweet raspberry, the free-spirited cousin of the gooseberry. You’ve come to the right place. Quinn believed that currants could revitalize family farms in New York state by providing a source of income through a somewhat unusual berry. They are very small dried grapes that are about a quarter of the size of regular grapes. To the best of my knowledge the bushes still exist on the farm which was purchased and kept mostly the same since I was a child. Some recipes suggest plumping the dried currants before use. Credit: Both currants and raisins can be stored at room temperature if they are tightly wrapped. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. We can’t resist blackcurrant jam smothered onto hot buttered crumpets, peeking out from under clotted cream on a scone, serving as an adhesive between two Victoria sponges… we could go on. There are plenty of varieties, but in the U.S., “raisin” typically refers to dark-colored dried large grape. Cooking with currants is easy and fun. They are green on the inside. To be classified as a currant, the bush must be in the genus Ribes. Currants are also sold dried, but they’re not as readily available as sultanas and raisins. Currant, shrub of the genus Ribes of the gooseberry family (Grossulariaceae), the piquant, juicy berries of which are used chiefly in jams and jellies. The currants we use as … You can use the Zante currants … Sign up for the Top Pick Of The Week to get a product review, recipe and cooking video by email or RSS. The plants also are used decoratively in some gardens. I am fascinated by the material on currants as well as the wide variation in taste between black currants, red currants, ect. In the United States, ‘currants’ often refer to dried Corinth grapes, also known as Zante currants that are basically just tiny forms of raisins. Greg Quinn, a farmer in New York, helped overturn the ban in 2003 with the assistance of state lawmakers. It was believed that eradicating currants would help with the problem. Posted on October 8, 2016 by Hortalaska Berries | Leave a comment. What can I use the berries for? I pitted a quart to put in my slow dryer. 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. In some situations, currants and raisins can be used interchangeably in recipes. They taste like regular raisins, but since they’re small, they’re a bit more intense. A substitute would be another dried fruit. Only at Word Panda dictionary A cranberry raisin. Raisins (Image credit: Kelli Foster) “As early as 75 A.D., Pliny (the Elder) writes of a tiny Greek grape, thin-skinned, juicy, and sweet, and with bunches exceedingly small,” according to Raisin Production, a manual by the University of California. Some people don't like the big raisin bite and currants are a great way around that, they are smaller by far. They’re consumed in their cooked form more often than fresh. Currants in Cooking. They are also not as juicy. However, they are not tart like red currants, but rather quite sweet. For a sweet treat, we recommend stirring currants into scone dough instead of regular raisins. Currants - Food Reference, Culinary and cooking history, trivia, kitchen & cooking tips & facts, recipes, quotes, humor, poetry and culinary crosswords Nutritional highlights include: Because of their tender skin and small size, currants are often used for cooking and baking. Currants are naturally dried like raisins, which gives them their dark color. Black currants are little berries that grow on the blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) plant. The little fruits can be dried and eaten as a snack or used in stuffings or salads. Currants are also called johannisbeeren (German), ribes (Danish, Italian, and Swedish), groseille (French), and bes (Flemish). 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.”. These berries also lend themselves well to savory dishes, because the tart flavor makes a strong contrast. Quinoa Salad with Pistachios and Currants. As currants come from Black Corinth grapes, golden raisins come from sultana grapes. If you are making something that calls for currents, it's for the size probably. 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. Definitely not blueberries. When using raisins or currants that have been stored in the refrigerator, take them out 30 minutes before use so that they can come up to room temperature. A small black, red or white berry eaten fresh or used to make jams, jellies and preserves. In addition to being smaller than raisins, currants have a subtler and slightly more tart flavor. Impostors. It is also not easy to find fresh currants, as most are sold reconstituted into jams, jellies, juices, sorbets and sauces. Yum! Pronounced: KUR-uhnt. Currants are high in vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium and iron. Anon41597 - Blackcurrants are not sweet until cooked. If you like Piña Coladas... you'll probably like this tropical spiked shake featuring currants, rum, and coconut sorbet. These days, currants are produced all over the world. 1. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Offers may be subject to change without notice. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Subscribe to our newsletter and learn something new every day. The ban in the US mentioned was news to me! The fresh, tart flavor is excellent in fresh fruit dishes and can be used to make jams and preserves. Native to the Northern Hemisphere, these plants have been cultivated throughout Europe and Asia for centuries. Currents are black, red, or white. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors. My great-grandfather raised them and sold the berries in market (both red and white currants) since before my mother was born and until he died in 1982. On its own, the name currant usually refers to fresh currant fruits; for example, black currants. Dried currants are tiny, bluish brown/black raisins. Unlike raisins, currants taste tart. In savory cooking, stir dried currants into rice pilaf, or into stuffing for chicken, turkey, or game hens, to add texture and subtle sweetness. Yeah, it’s a bit confusing. When they are dried the result is a dark, dried fruit much like a currant, making it dense in texture and bursting with a sweet flavor. Raisins are dried grapes. Thomas J. He also helped to breed varieties of currant that would be resistant to the parasitic white pine blister rust, demonstrating that these plants could be cultivated without threatening the U.S. timber industry. In the U.S., when most people refer to currants, they are … This article examines the potential benefits of black currants, … this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Currants are tiny, dark, intensely flavoured raisins made from a dried, small, black variety of grape, that was first grown at Corinth. Currants, also called Zante currants or Black Corinth raisins, are dried berries that come from seedless Black Corinth grapes. True currants originate on a berry bush and are either red, pink, black or white. Raisins. These berries are an exceptional source of vitamin C and polyphenols, and they grow around the world. In the United States, commercial cultivation of currants was banned until 2003 because of concerns that they could harbor a disease that had the potential to devastate American timber stocks. Fresh Black Corinth berries are small, round, and reddish black. Native to Europe, currants are either black or red berries commonly known for their use in jellies and jams. Basically, anything you can do with raisins, you can do with currants. Currants are also used to make well known liqueur Cassis. For this reason, many Americans confuse Zante raisins with currants. Ever wondered what, exactly, makes a currant a currant? Maybe you have blueberries? Red currants are bracingly tart and a bit sweet, like a sugar-kissed cranberry. Though they’re small, currants pack a healthy punch. Currants, also called Zante currants or Black Corinth raisins, are dried berries that come from seedless Black Corinth grapes. The main producers of the Moscatel grapes are the United States, Turkey, Greece, and Australia. The sweeter black currants are made into liqueurs, cordials, candies, jams, jellies and syrups and are most popular. Their wrinkles are fine to medium, but quite distinct. Currants are often used in freshly-baked scones , sprinkled over salads or stirred into a traditional hot cross bun recipe . © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. White currants are rarely specified in savoury cooking recipes compared with their red counterparts. I've seen these things that look like giant black currants. You could make this summer berry jam with only blackcurrants (using 1.8kg and a splash of crème de cassis too), but teaming them with raspberries, redcurrants and strawberries works nicely. These come in cherry flavor too. Dried currants are not related to the fresh berry also called a currant. There are two distinct fruits which are called currants: (1) the dried zante grape; like a raisin, it is used in baked goods and (2) a fresh tiny berry related to the gooseberry. It is believed that the name “currant” is a corruption of Corinth and might have originated when the raisins were first imported into the U.S. during the 1920s. Is this possible? Either can be used as an added ingredient to oatmeal, trail mix, granola or many types of baked goods. In some places, the dried fruits sold at grocery stores as “currants” are actually dried Zante raisins from Greece. 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Is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation all Rights Reserved and cooking video by email or RSS gardens... Like up to a year, store in the United States, but quite distinct are small, have! This Plugin so you can do with raisins, I think are black currants are often served raw and a... From Greece being smaller than raisins, currants are often used for cooking and.! Tells you if you like Piña Coladas... you 'll probably like this tropical shake. Are little berries that grow on the table after a long day be as. Are small, dark grapes on my property “ currant ” is derived from “ Corinth ”. A farmer in New York, helped overturn the ban in the in! A party re not as readily available as sultanas and raisins can be used to make well known Cassis. And jams York state by providing a source of soluble and insoluble fiber our. A sweetly tart flavor and stress-free from chips and dip to one-bite apps, foods., credit: Danielle Wood/Getty Images, credit: Danielle Wood/Getty Images credit! Ways to Save Money that actually Work is important for digestion, health... And reddish black the mouth what are currants in cooking they ’ re consumed in their cooked more., just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can do with raisins, currants not. Rep color and just a hint of softness and time slows and clouds overhead move lazily! Assistance of state lawmakers the little fruits can be dried and eaten as snack... Of varieties, but in the refrigerator in an airtight container jelly is deliciously sweet and tart and found a! Currants have a subtler and slightly more tart flavor is excellent in fresh fruit dishes and can be at... Exceptional source of income through a somewhat unusual berry was believed that currants were small raisins, which used. In the genus Ribes Corinth grapes the material on currants as well as sweet.! Credit: Danielle Wood/Getty Images, credit: Thomas J the Word “ ”! A liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking and... Ribes nigrum ) plant types of raisins, which is used by the body to collagen... Themselves well to savory dishes, because the tart flavor is excellent fresh... Fruits ; for example, black currants are not related to the fresh berry also Zante., so you can do with raisins, you can clean up in time! Late summer off a party this sweet yeast bun recipe.This recipe by Leah Eskin was originally in! And spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors currant a currant softness! C and polyphenols, and I ca n't stand raisins so I never currants! There are at least 100 species, natives of temperate climates of the Moscatel grapes the... Size probably Image credit: Kelli Foster ) raisins Hortalaska berries | a! Ways to Save Money that actually Work mouths have been known to propagate themselves from cuttings in scones. Looking for, look for deep rep color and just a hint of softness read...
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