Black Currant Facts

Most North Americans would not show much interest in black currant facts, as black currants would not rate very high on their list of preferred fruits. They are somewhat bitter for North American palates. On the other side of the equation though, black currant nutrition is very impressive.

One cup of black currants have over 3x your daily requirements of vitamin C, but they are also high in other basic nutrients. They have been used for hundreds of years for their health benefits.

Currants were enjoyed in Europe centuries before America tasted these tiny berries. The history of black currants is an interesting one.

American colonists began growing currants imported from Europe in the late 1600s or early 1700s.

Black currants were at one time looked upon as an inferior berry because of their taste.

A bit too tart to eat as raw fresh fruit, black currants are excellent flavor and texture for stews, sauces, liqueur, jams, jellies and syrups.

In Europe, black currents are popular as a candy and beverage flavoring, In North America, grape flavoring is used instead. Grapes are far less nutritious.

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