Blackcurrant

Widely cultivated in both home gardens and commercial plots, blackcurrants strongly resemble blueberries at a glance. Small, round, and almost black in color, blackcurrants came into demand during World War II when fruits rich in vitamin C were difficult to obtain in the U.K. and the berry proved a worthy alternative.

However, due to its threat to the U.S. logging industry, currants were banned in the United States from the early 1900s until recently, when the federal ban was shifted to the jurisdiction of individual states. Blackcurrants are currently a popular ingredient in jellies, jams, syrups, and many different types of desserts, as well as in the production of alcoholic beverages. The berry is used in traditional medicine in Austria and other parts of Europe to treat coughs, infections, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Health Benefits of Blackcurrant

These dark berries has been traditionally used to treat a wide range of illnesess, and, thanks to modern science investigations, major blackcurrant health benefits have been discovered, such as:

• Boosting brain functions. Blackcurrant consumption has been associated with improved brain functions, including motor skills and memory.

• Preventing cardiovascular diseases. Blackcurrant promotes blood flaw, which helps prevent the build up of plaque in the arteries and reduce blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, such as stroke and heart attack.

Additionally, blackcurrant is also useful for:

• Lowering inflammation. The powerful antioxidant action of these berries has been shown effective for the relief of inflammatory diseases, such arthritis.

• Treating hormonal imbalances. Blackcurrant has proven to be useful in treating menopause symptoms and relieving Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

How It Works

Blackcurrant berries are rich in phenolic acids - mainly anthocyanins - that can protect the body from inflammation of heart disease, infections, and neurological disorders.

The blackcurrant 's seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, a type of omega 6-fatty acid that helps stimulate essential growth in the body, maintain bone health, and promote cardiovascular health. On the other hand, tocopherols and phytosterols also play an important role in the anti-inflammatory and cardiopropective actions of blackcurrant.

Like in most berry fruits, the neuroprotective and nootropic effects of blackcurrant are related to the combined action of powerful phytochemicals, such as anthocyanin, caffeic acid, catechin, quercetin, kaempferol and tannins¹.

Moreover, studies suggest that blackcurrant anthocyanins^2,3 can act as phytoestrogens, helping relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and regulating hormonal imbalances during menopause.

Not only are anthocyanins antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, but they are also the compounds responsible for the berries' deep hue.

Brain boosting properties are also present in herbs like blackberry, ginkgo, and saffron, whereas aspen, ashwagandha,
hawthorn and turmeric provide similar anti-inflammatory benefits.

Blackcurrant Side Effects

Blackcurrant is likely safe when consumed as a food, or when either the berry or seed oil is used as medicine. The berry might slow blood clotting and can lower blood pressure, although very large dosages are needed for this.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid consuming blackcurrant in medicinal amounts, since there is limited research on the effects it could have.

Blackurrant berries are considered nutritious and low in calories, with high amounts of dietary fiber and very little sugar.

Blackcurrant provides adequate amounts of minerals, being the most relevant iron, which helps treat and prevent anemia by maintaining a healthy production of red blood cells, and potassium, necessary for nerves function and proper muscle contraction as well as for a regular heartbeat. Blackcurrant berries also contain small amounts of other minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.

The most abundant nutrient in blakcurrant is vitamin C (ascorbic acid), only surpassed by camu camu. This particular nutrient is absolutely instrumental for human well-being, not only aiding calcium absorption for strong bones, but also contributing to boost immunity, prevent anemia, and alleviate inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. These dark berries also provide excellent amounts of vitamin K (phylloquinone), which plays a key part in blood clotting, preventing bruising and bleeding problems as well as promoting healthy bones.

Additionally, good levels of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) play a major role in the cell's antioxidant defense system, helping prevent chronic and age-related diseases caused by free-radical damage. This lipid-soluble nutrient also contribute to prevent coronary heart disease, strenght immunity, help control inflammatory processes, and support eye health.

The nutritional value of blackcurrant is rounded by the presence of B-group vitamins, mainly B₅ (pantothenic acid) and B₆ (pyridoxine), all of which are essential for metabolic processes, particularly for the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, helping tranform food into energy.

100 GRAMS OF FRESH BLACKBURRANT BERRIES PROVIDE 45.18 CALORIES, 3% DV OF PROTEIN, 2% DV OF CARBOHYDRATES, AND 27% DV OF DIETARY FIBER.

Like most berries, blackcurrant can be consumed in both herbal remedies and culinary preparations.

Natural Forms

• Raw. Eating the berries raw is the best way to reap their fiber content and antioxidant benefits. Blackcurrant berries can be used as a dessert fruit thanks to their tart and fruity flavor.

• Cooked. Like other berries, blackcurrants can be turned into syrups, jams, jellies, cakes - any kind of dessert one could imagine.

• Powder. Blackcurrant powder can be mixed into juices and smoothies to add a nutritional boost.

Herbal Remedies & Supplements

• Oil. Blackcurrant seed oil can also be taken aside from in capsules. It contains gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, and may be used as a carrier oil or consumed on its own.

• Capsules. Blackcurrant supplements provide the medicinal benefits of the herb in a compact package with a consistent dosage. The capsules or softgel tablets are typically filled with blackcurrant oil, which is rich in omega fatty acids.

While blackcurrant is considered relatively easy to grow, it requires a specific environment to thrive. In order to succeed in its cultivation some basic guidelines need to be followed.

Growing Guidelines

• It is important to purchase certified stock before growing one's own blackcurrant bush. 

• This plant tolerates a wide range of soils, but it prefers well-drained, loamy soils and plenty of sunlight.

• Depending on its native region, frequent watering may be needed during the dry season, as well as fertilization with strong, thoroughly-rotten manure.

• Since their roots need room to expand, for large scale blackcurrant cultivation, ideal spacing between rows should be six feet (1.8 m), and each plant within the same row should be kept at least five feet (1.5 m) apart.

• The crop is known for suffering from harmful diseases and pests, most notably white pine blister rust.

Plant Biology

Blackcurrant is a shrub that can reach six feet (1.8 m) tall and is native throughout northern Europe, as well as central and northern Asia, but also grows widely across North America. Its woody, spineless branches hold aromatic leaves that grow in alternating pairs or clusters. Small black berries grow in bunches during the summertime.

• Classification

  Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) was formerly part of the Grossulariaceae family, which comprised over 350 species across 25 genera. However, some botanists have divided this large group into eight families, classifying the Ribes genus as a member of the Saxifragaceae (currant or gooseberry) family, which - up to date - it is thought to include a total of 33 genera.

• Related Species, Varieties, and Cultivars of Blackcurrant

  Did you know?
  

  Gooseberries are also members of the Ribes genus and only differ from currants in the appearance of their flowers.

  The jostaberry is an interspecies cross between gooseberries and blackcurrants, with fruits that are black but larger than currants.

  The Ribes genus contains an average of 150 species, common in the temperate regions of Northern Europe, Asia, North America, and mountainous areas of South America and northwest Africa.

  The most economically important species related to blackcurrant are American blackcurrant (Ribes americanum), redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) - which includes different white cultivars -, whitecurrant (R. petraeum), and pinkcurrant (R. vulgare) - from which also white and red cultivars have been developed.

  Blackcurrant has the following varieties: R. nigrum var. europaenum, R. nigrum var. nigrum, and R. nigrum var. sibiricum.

  In the U.S., three blackcurrant cultivars, 'Ben Tirran', 'Ben Connan', and 'Ben Alder' have been patented by the USPPs (U.S. States Patent and Trademark Office), while 'Titania' has propagation rights protected by contractual arrangements between breeders and growers. Other popular blackcurrant cultivars are 'Ben Sarek', 'Consort', 'Coronet and Crusader', and 'Ben Lomont'.

Historical Information

Currants' first record of cultivation and human consumption can be traced back to the Renaissance in Europe (14^th and 17_th centuries), when they started being grown in farms and gardens. Old herbalist texts from the 1600's describe the medicinal properties of currants.

When early settlers introduced European currant into North America, in the late 1700's, they realized that native Americans have been harvesting a local variety of currant from the wild for centuries, to use the berries in medicines and dyes.

The Prince Nurseries on Long Island became the first one to offer currants for sale in 1770. During the 1800's and early 1900's, black and red currants were widely grown in the U.S. and Canada.

However, in the late 1890's the fungus that causes White Pine Blister Rust (Cronatium ribicola) was imported on infected pine seedlings, changing the fate of currants in North America. By 1911, the disease had been reported in most of the Northeast, including Massachusetts.

As many as 11,000 men were employed in a single year for currants' eradication in the national forests due to the fungus infestation.

In the 1920's, the federal government issued a plant quarantine against the importation and cultivation of currants. The federal ban continued until 1966, when it was finally rescinded, leaving it up to individual states whether or not to maintain restrictions.

Massachusetts has retained, to this day, the 1920's prohibition statewide, allowing red or white currants alone, as well as gooseberries, only in certain towns.

Economic Data

Although the federal prohibition was lifted in 1966, blackcurrants are still banned in many states in the U.S., and are a minor crop in others. For this reason the dark berries still not widely traded and remain quite expensive in local markets.

However, the popularity of blackcurrant is on the rise: Japan currently imports $3.6 million USD worth of New Zealand's blackcurrants to produce dietary supplements and other functional food products. They are also very popular in Eastern Europe, and Russia is the world's top producer.

Other Uses

Blackcurrant berries are generally known for their alimentary uses, providing a slew of health benefits. However, non-edible products are created from the plant as well.

• Cosmetics. Blackcurrant seed oil is used in many different cosmetic products, in combination with vitamin E.

• Dye. Blackcurrant's leaves produce a yellow dye, while a blue or violet dye is extracted from the berries.