Currants/Gooseberries

When to Buy/In Season:
Currants are fresh in June and July.

How to Select:
Fresh currents should be firm and round. Currants grow in loose clusters, similar to grapes, ¼ inch diameter. Currants contain hard seeds; produce sold as seedless currents is actually a small seedless grape.

Black currants are muskier than other varieties. Look for firm, plump black fruit.

Red Currants are tart when light red, in early July. If allowed to hang on the bush, they turn a dark, rich red, and become sweeter. Look for berries that are dark red, not bright red, and are firm and plump.

White Currants are rare, a type of red currant that is much sweeter than the other varieties.

Gooseberries are larger than other varities of currants. The color should range from translucent green to red or pink, with a mild tartness. The flavor can be similar to grapes, kiwi, or even apricots. Each berry is about 1/4 – 1/2 inch in diameter, very round, and should be very juicy yet firm to the touch. Avoid mushy or mealy gooseberries.

Organic Issues:
Currants are disease resistant and typically grown conventionally without chemicals. Hence, most fresh currants are chemical free, even if the farm is not organic certified.

Pesticide Issues:
EWG 2009 Dirty Dozen, not listed

How to Store:
refrigerate and use within 2 – 3 days, or freeze.

Freezer
To Freeze Fresh Currents:

Select plump, fully ripe bright-red currants. Wash in cold water and remove stems.

Dry Pack: Pack currants into containers, leaving headspace. 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.
Sugar Pack: To each quart (11/3 pounds) of fruit add 3/4 cup sugar. Stir until most of the sugar is dissolved. Pack currants into containers, leaving headspace. Seal and freeze.

Store frozen currents up to six months.

Canning

See our Basics of Canning Fruit at Home
Home Canned fruits can be stored for up to 1 year; they may lose quality after that point. Commercially canned fruit can be stored up to 3 years.

Drying:
See our Basics of Drying Fruit at Home

Store dried currents at room temperature up to six months; they may be reconstituted or softened with water. Dried currents may be stored in the freezer indefinitely.

Photo Source: tanquera75

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