Dear Readers, Currants are delicious and very healthy. They are easy to plant and do not require much maintenance. We have things worth knowing, Currants skin and health benefits of using sweet and sour berries for you.
In addition to the health benefits of currants, there are also culinary ones. You can incorporate the superfood into your diet in a variety of ways, for example as a snack, juice, smoothie, in a fruit salad or cake, and as jam.
Interesting facts about currants
The color variants include white, red, and black currant. We tell you how they differ and why they are so healthy.
White currants
Unlike the red and black currants, white currants are not a separate species. They are a color variant of red currants.
The first white berry probably originated in England in the 16th century. Here is some important information about the white currant.
- Mildest of the three types, the least acidic
- Contains many vitamins and important nutrients
- The shrub grows 1.00 to 1.60 meters high and is frost-resistant
- Berries ripen from mid-June
- The diameter of the berries is about one centimeter
- Bumblebee and bee-friendly
- Thrives best in partial shade or in sunny spots that are shaded at midday
- Can be kept in the fridge for two weeks, frozen for up to ten months
- Fruits grow on two or three-year-old shoots
Red currants
It has been known since the 15th century and was often bred in monastery gardens. In some forests, it also occurs in wild form.
Because of their beautiful color, red currants are particularly popular for desserts, as juice, or in salads. You can buy them already harvested in the supermarket, plant them in pots or in your garden.
- Currant bush grows between 1.00 and 1.60 meters high
- Contains a lot of vitamin C and more fiber than white currant with fewer calories
- Berries grow about an inch in size and ripen from mid-June
- Prefers sunny spots with some shade
- Keep soil moist and fertilize during harvest time
- There are early and late red currant varieties, with harvest times from June to August
- Harvested whole bunches keep in the fridge for about a week, frozen for ten months
- Fruits grow on two or three-year-old shoots
Black Currants
Currants skin and health contain the most vitamin C and is therefore particularly healthy. Another advantage of this type of fruit: its berries can stay in the bush for a particularly long time without spoiling.
- The shrub grows up to 2.00 meters high
- 100 grams cover twice the daily requirement of vitamin C
- Sunny places provide more aromatic fruits, but berries also thrive in semi-shade
- Plant deep in the garden and keep the soil moist
- Black currants usually need more water than red or white ones
- The fruit forms on one-year shoots
- Fruits are ripe between June and July (the later you harvest, the sweeter the berries)
- Can be kept in the fridge for one to two weeks, frozen for up to ten months
That’s why currants are so healthy
Overall, Currants’ skin and health are a real all-rounder with many healthy ingredients. It supports the immune system and the formation of bones, promotes cell renewal, and helps to regulate the calcium and phosphorus balance.
In addition to a lot of vitamin C, berries also contain small amounts of other vital substances such as vitamin B3 or vitamin E. The blackcurrant is particularly noteworthy. It has over three times as much vitamin C per 100 grams as the lemon.
In addition, berries have a high fiber content, which supplies our body for a longer period of time and keeps us full for a long time. Here, too, the black currant offers the most nutrients.
The potassium it contains is important for signal transmission between our cells and ensures a balanced acid-base balance (pH value). In the following table, we have compiled all the important nutrients of white, red, and black currants for you.
6 effects of the currant
In this chapter, we have compiled six different effects of currants for you. Their ingredients help, for example, with menstrual cramps, can support healthy weight loss, or prevent chronic diseases.
Improvement of the immune system
Black currants in particular contain an incredible amount of vitamin C. Only 100 grams of dark berries are enough to cover your daily requirement twice. White and red currants also contain sufficient vitamin C.
The high vitamin content makes the small berries good supporters of your immune system and ensures better wound healing. Access them when you have a cold, a hoarse voice, a sore throat or throat infection, and even a headache.
For menstrual problems
Many women suffer from iron deficiency during their period due to blood loss. The result can be tiredness and listlessness. Currants contain a lot of iron and are therefore a suitable snack during this time.
Also helpful during menstruation are raspberry leaf tea or sage tea against cramps. Lady’s mantle has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps regulate the female menstrual cycle.
When losing weight
The fiber in currants keeps you full for longer and prevents cravings. In addition, the small berries have less than 40 calories per 100 grams. Red currants even have only 30 calories.
They ensure regulated digestion and not only prevent bloating but also help with constipation. Good digestion is very important for healthy weight loss. The anthocyanins contained in the berries also reduce fat accumulation.
For chronic diseases
The anthocyanins in the currant fight against inflammation in the body and thus reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases.
Anthocyanins are mainly found in black currants, but acai berries, goji berries, blueberries, and raspberries also contain anti-inflammatory substances.
A tea made from currant leaves can help with joint pain caused by rheumatism. All you have to do is pour about 150 milliliters of water over two to four teaspoons of dried leaves. Then let it steep for 10 minutes, strain the leaves and enjoy.
Protection against bladder infections
A Finnish study with 300 participants found that a glass of currant juice a day can protect against bladder infections. There have already been studies with cranberry juice, but it is now known that currants, blueberries, or cranberries also have an effect.
This effect is due to the contained epicatechin. It avoids bacteria from settling on the bladder wall. In addition, berries have a diuretic effect and also work in a fresh form against bladder problems. As tea is made from currant leaves, they are also used as a home remedy for smaller kidney stones.
More beautiful skin
The vitamin C it contains also supports better collagen formation. Collagen strengthens your connective tissue. In smaller amounts, the healthy berries also contain vitamin A, which is important for cell renewal.
Freeze currants
If you freeze currants, you can divide them up and use them again and again later whether as a snack, jam, jelly, or in drinks. There are a few things to keep in mind when freezing. We have a short guide for you.
- Select ripe currants without dents.
- Wash the berries gently and dry them well.
- Remove the berries from the stalks (panicles), for example with a fork.
- Place berries on a large plate and place in the freezer for at least an hour or two.
- Once frozen, you can place them in convenient bags or jars so they take up less space.
Currants Skin and Health can be frozen for about 10 months. They are no longer particularly suitable as an ingredient on or in a cake, as they make the dough soggy. However, you can still use them for juices, jam, puree, or drinks.
Juicing effectively
Another way to use it is to juice currants. The easiest way to do this is with a juicer. But if you don’t want to buy one, you can also effectively juice by hand. All you need is:
- currants
- Water
- blender
- Sieve
- 2 large pots
- strainer, cheesecloth, or strainer
The first step is to wash the currants and remove the stalks. Then place the separated berries in a saucepan and add 125 milliliters of water for every kilogram of berries. Cook everything on high.
Now reduce the heat and let the whole thing simmer for 20 to 30 minutes with the lid closed. Then mash everything with a hand blender and place a sieve with a dry cheesecloth in it over a clean pot.
Now put the pureed mass in the sieve and cover the whole thing with a saucepan lid. Leave overnight, twist the ends of the cloth, and squeeze out any remaining juice. You can then fill the juice into a clean, sealable glass bottle. It can be kept refrigerated for about three days.
Shahin Akhter says
Nice Post, Beautifully Explained with basic details.