Redcurrant

Redcurrant
Cultivated redcurrant
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Saxifragales
Family:	Grossulariaceae
Genus:	Ribes
Species:	R. rubrum
Binomial name
Ribes rubrum L., 1753
Synonyms[1]
List Grossularia rubra (L.) Scop. (1771) Ribes acerifolium K.Koch (1869) Ribes acidum Ehrh. (1790) Ribes albescens Poit. & Turpin (1846) Ribes albicans Poit. & Turpin (1846) Ribes albovirens Poit. & Turpin (1846) Ribes auriculatum Poit. & Turpin (1846) Ribes baicalense Turcz. ex Steud. (1841) Ribes carneum Poit. & Turpin (1846) Ribes domesticum Jancz. (1900) Ribes fleischmannii Rchb. ex K.Koch (1869) Ribes glabrum (Hedl.) Sennikov (2001) Ribes hladnickianum Freyer ex Steud. (1841) Ribes hortense Hedl. (1901) Ribes houghtonianum Jancz. (1901) Ribes macrocarpum Jancz. (1900) Ribes officinarum Dum.Cours. (1811) Ribes pendulum Salisb. (1796) Ribes racemosum Poit. & Turpin (1846) Ribes sativum (Rchb.) A.Berger (1924) Ribes sativum f. macrocarpum (Jancz.) Rehder (1949) Ribes sativum var. variegatum (Weston) Rehder (1927) Ribes sativum f. variegatum (Weston) Rehder (1949) Ribes sibiricum K.Koch (1869) Ribes smidtianum (Sow. ex Syme) Hedl. (1901) Ribes sylvestre (Lam.) Mert. & W.D.J.Koch (1826) Ribes sylvestre subsp. hortense Hyl. (1945) Ribes sylvestre var. smidtianum Sow. ex Syme (1865) Ribes vinosum Dum.Cours. (1802) Ribes vulgare Lam. (1789) Ribes vulgare var. hortense Lam. (1789) Ribes vulgare var. sylvestre Lam. (1789) Ribesium rubrum (L.) Medik. (1789)

The redcurrant or red currant (Ribes rubrum) is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family. It is native to western Europe.^[2][3][4] The species is widely cultivated and has escaped into the wild in many regions.^[5][6]

Description

Ribes rubrum is a deciduous shrub normally growing to 1–1.5 metres (3+1⁄2–5 feet) tall, occasionally 2 m (7 ft), with five-lobed leaves arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are inconspicuous yellow-green, in pendulous 4–8-centimetre (1+1⁄2–3+1⁄4-inch) racemes, maturing into bright red translucent edible berries about 8–12 millimetres (3⁄8–1⁄2 in) diameter, with 3–10 berries on each raceme. An established bush can produce 3–4 kilograms (6+1⁄2–8+3⁄4 pounds) of berries from mid- to late summer.^[6]

• 
  A fruiting redcurrant bush in a sparse village in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia
• 
  Close-up of leaves on cuttings
• 
  Close-up of blossom
• 
  Redcurrant berries

Phytochemicals

Redcurrant fruits are known for their tart flavor, a characteristic provided by a relatively high content of organic acids and mixed polyphenols.^[7] As many as 65 different phenolic compounds may contribute to the astringent properties of redcurrants, with these contents increasing during the last month of ripening.^[8] Twenty-five individual polyphenols and other nitrogen-containing phytochemicals in redcurrant juice have been isolated specifically with the astringent flavor profile sensed in the human tongue.^[9]

Cultivation

Several other similar species native in Europe, Asia and North America also have edible fruit. These include Ribes spicatum (northern Europe and northern Asia), Ribes alpinum (northern Europe, and at high altitudes south to the Alps, Pyrenees and Caucasus), R. schlechtendalii (northeast Europe), R. multiflorum (southeast Europe), R. petraeum (southwest Europe) and R. triste (North America; Newfoundland to Alaska and southward in mountains).

While Ribes rubrum is native to Europe,^[2] large berried cultivars of the redcurrant were first produced in Belgium and northern France in the 17th century. In modern times, numerous cultivars have been selected; some of these have escaped gardens and can be found in the wild across Europe and extending into Asia.^[10]

The white currant is also a cultivar of R. rubrum.^[11] Although it is a sweeter and less pigmented variant of the redcurrant, not a separate botanical species, it is sometimes marketed with names such as R. sativum or R. silvestre, or sold as a different fruit.

Currant bushes prefer partial to full sunlight and can grow in most types of soil.^[11] They are relatively low-maintenance plants and can also be used as ornamentation.

Cultivars

Many redcurrant and whitecurrant cultivars are available for domestic cultivation from specialist growers. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:^[12]

• "Jonkheer van Tets"^[13]
• "Red Lake"^[14]
• "Stanza"^[15]
• "White Grape"^[16] (whitecurrant)

Uses

Nutrition

Currants, red and white, raw

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	234 kJ (56 kcal)
Carbohydrates	13.8 g
Sugars	7.37 g
Dietary fiber	4.3 g
Fat	0.2 g
Protein	1.4 g
Vitamins and minerals Vitamins Quantity %DV^† Thiamine (B1) 3% 0.04 mg Riboflavin (B2) 4% 0.05 mg Niacin (B3) 1% 0.1 mg Pantothenic acid (B5) 1% 0.064 mg Vitamin B6 4% 0.07 mg Folate (B9) 2% 8 μg Choline 1% 7.6 mg Vitamin C 46% 41 mg Vitamin E 1% 0.1 mg Vitamin K 9% 11 μg Minerals Quantity %DV^† Calcium 3% 33 mg Iron 6% 1 mg Magnesium 3% 13 mg Manganese 8% 0.186 mg Phosphorus 4% 44 mg Potassium 9% 275 mg Sodium 0% 1 mg Zinc 2% 0.23 mg
Link to USDA Database entry
^†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[17] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[18]

In a 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) reference serving, redcurrants (or white) supply 234 kilojoules (56 kilocalories) of food energy and are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 49% of the Daily Value (DV, table). Vitamin K is the only other essential nutrient in significant content at 10% of DV (table).

Culinary

With maturity, the tart flavour of redcurrant fruit is slightly greater than its blackcurrant relative, but with the same approximate sweetness. The white-fruited variant of redcurrant, often referred to as white currant, has the same tart flavour but with greater sweetness. Although frequently cultivated for jams and cooked preparations, much like the white currant, it is often served raw or as a simple accompaniment in salads, garnishes, or drinks when in season.

In the United Kingdom, redcurrant jelly is a condiment often served with lamb, game meat including venison, turkey and goose in a festive or Sunday roast. It is essentially a jam and is made in the same way, by adding the redcurrants to sugar, boiling, and straining.^[19]

In France, the highly rarefied and hand-made Bar-le-duc or "Lorraine jelly" is a spreadable preparation traditionally made from white currants or alternatively redcurrants.^[20] The pips are taken off by hand, originally by monks, with a goose feather, before cooking.^[21]

In Scandinavia and Schleswig-Holstein, it is often used in fruit soups and summer puddings (rødgrød, rote grütze or rode grütt).^[20] In Germany it is also used in combination with custard or meringue as a filling for tarts.

In Linz, Austria, it is the most commonly used filling for the Linzer torte.^[20][22] It can be enjoyed in its fresh state without the addition of sugar.

In German-speaking areas, syrup or nectar derived from the redcurrant is added to soda water and enjoyed as a refreshing drink named Johannisbeerschorle.^[20] It is so named because the redcurrants (Johannisbeeren, "John's berry" in German) are said to ripen first on St. John's Day, also known as Midsummer Day, June 24.

In Russia, redcurrants are ubiquitous and used in jams, preserves, compotes and desserts. It is also used to make kissel, a sweet dessert made from fresh berries or fruits (such as red currants, cherries, cranberries).^[23] The leaves have many uses in traditional medicine, such as making an infusion with black tea.^[24]

See also

• Jostaberry

References

1. "Ribes rubrum L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
2. "Ribes rubrum (RIBRU)[Overview]". Global Database. EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization). Retrieved 2022-05-17.
3. Brennan, Rex M. (1996). "Currants and Gooseberries". In Jules Janick; James N. Moore (eds.). Fruit Breeding. Vol. II - Vine and Small Fruits. John Wiley & Sons. p. 196. ISBN 0471126756.
4. "Ribes rubrum L." Altervista Flora Italiana; includes photos and European distribution map.
5. Morin, Nancy R. (2009). "Ribes rubrum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 8. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
6. Lu, Lingdi; Alexander, Crinan. "Ribes rubrum". Flora of China – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
7. Mikulic-Petkovsek, M.; Schmitzer, V.; Slatnar, A.; Stampar, F.; Veberic, R. (2012). "Composition of sugars, organic acids, and total phenolics in 25 wild or cultivated berry species". J Food Sci. 77 (10): 1064–70. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02896.x. PMID 22924969.
8. Mikulic-Petkovsek, M.; et al. (2015). "Changes in fruit quality parameters of four Ribes species during ripening". Food Chem. 173: 363–74. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.10.011. PMID 25466034.
9. Schwarz, B.; Hofmann, T. (2007). "Sensory-guided decomposition of red currant juice (Ribes rubrum) and structure determination of key astringent compounds". J Agric Food Chem. 55 (4): 1394–1404. doi:10.1021/jf0629078. PMID 17261016.
10. Verlag, Orbis "Orbis Naturführer", 2000,
11. "REDCURRANT (Ribes rubrum) and Whitecurrant & Pinkcurrant". Grow Your Own. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
12. "AGM Plants - Crops" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
13. "RHS Plantfinder - Ribes rubrum 'Jonkheer van Tets'". Retrieved 9 October 2018.
14. "RHS Plantfinder - Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake'". Retrieved 9 October 2018.
15. "RHS Plantfinder - Ribes rubrum 'Stanza'". Retrieved 9 October 2018.
16. "RHS Plantfinder - Ribes rubrum 'White Grape'". Retrieved 9 October 2018.
17. United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
18. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). "Chapter 4: Potassium: Dietary Reference Intakes for Adequacy". In Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). pp. 120–121. doi:10.17226/25353. ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
19. "Homemade Redcurrant Jelly recipe". www.cookitsimply.com.
20. T. K. Lim Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 4, Fruits , p. 44, at Google Books
21. Heather Arndt Anderson Berries: A Global History (2018), p. 86, at Google Books
22. Haywood, A and Walker, K "Upper Austria - Linz", Lonely Planet - Austria p. 207
23. "Kisel – Russian sweet drink". milkandbun. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
24. Thomas Andrew A cyclopedia of domestic medicine and surgery (1842), p. 135, at Google Books

External links

• Media related to Ribes rubrum at Wikimedia Commons