Last updated
05 February 2012
Quest for the Good Life 
Currant Bushes
Redcurrants and Blackcurrants are members of the Gooseberry family [Grossulariaceae]. They are upright bushes with many stems, bearing five lobed leaves with a serrated margin. The flowers a borne up the stems in little groups called racemes. These dangle from the plant, lightly as flowers, but more heavily as the fruit ripens.
They are early flowering and the fruit can be well on the way to development in May. A single bush can produce several kilos of fruit. Birds find them equally attractive, so the grower needs to protect the crop with nets or fleece.
Blackcurrant
Ribes nigrum, a favourite flavour when turned into a drink or iced lolly. Packed full of Vitamin C (302% RDA per 100g) as well as iron, phosphorous and potassium. They also contain phytochemicals that may help in the fight against cancer, heart disease and Alzheimers.
Redcurrant
Ribes rubrum, the red version of the blackcurrant. Slightly different in that they tend not to produce so many flowers and fruit as the blackcurrant. Yields may be 25% less than the blackcurrant. There is a white version of this also (Whitecurrant). Once again it has high vitamin C content.
Phytochemicals in Blackcurrants
Phytochemicals may be important in the health of the body. They might assist in the fight against cancer, heart disease or Alzheimers.
Anthocyanins occur in Blackcurrants (4 types) and the seed contains a source of essential
fatty acid -
So remember to eat the seeds as well!