FoodFood InformationFruitBerries
The currant is a tart berry, about the size of a tiny seed pearl, that growsin clusters. In the United States we grow only red currants, but in Britainand France they grow black as well as red. The black currant may be hostto a fungus that severely harms pine trees, which is why it is illegal toimport black currant shrubs from overseas.
Currants are primarily used in making jams, jellies, and syrups. (They area bit tart to use as a raw fruit.) Back in Grandma's day, when homemadejellies and preserves were popular, a fair amount of fresh red currantswere sold in retail stores every spring. Today, they have all but disappearedfrom the marketplace. The commercial red currant jelly has also all butdisappeared from the supermarket shelves. However, in Europe currant preservesare best sellers.
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