Black Currants

Black Currants are often described as a “super fruit” due to its power packed nutritional benefits.

BlackCurrants, a fruit with a long and interesting history, are attracting a lot of attention of late, providing another example of how “what’s old is new again”.
Renewed interest in currants by commercial producers and homeowners alike center around their appeal as a specialty crop, new to some consumers and nostalgic to others.
Its flavour has been described as tart and intense and is most often processed into jams, jellies, sauces, liquor, juices and even as a soft drink, Ribena, sold in vending machines in the UK.

Black Currants are good for you!

According to the USDA Nutrition Handbook, black currants are listed as containing:

  • More ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), by far, than any other available fruit
  • As much potassium as banana
  • Twice as much calcium as any fruit except blackberry
  • Less fat that all other fruit except nectarine
  • More phosphorus and potassium than any other fruit, and
  • Are second only to elderberry in iron and protein. Black currants also contain bioflavanoids which are vasopressor agents (reduce blood pressure).

More on Nutrition

Infection-fighting Vitamin C shows up in a big way, with more than 300 percent of the daily recommended value in a 100-gram serving (equivalent to a little under a cup of apple slices). This vitamin has antioxidant properties that stop free radicals (from exposure to toxic chemicals and pollutants that cause aging, cancer, heart disease, and inflammation) from damaging cells.

Iron is an important mineral in black currants, providing 10 percent of the daily value along with protection against immunity deficiencies and fatigue by transporting oxygen to cells. Also present are copper, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and potassium for optimal cell, tissue, and organ function in the body. Anthocyanins are one of the compounds that make black currants uniquely powerful in antioxidants. Flavonoids like betacarotene, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin help lower the risk of lung and mouth cancers, protect against neurological diseases, slow the aging process, and fight inflammation

The list of other things black currants help with is a long one. Studies show they may play a part in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, prevent and treat arthritis, gout, and liver problems, ease problems with menopause, painful periods, and PMS, and against diarrhea. It’s even useful topically for healing wounds and treating insect bites.

A HealthLine article explains the heath benefits of Black Currants
They reported that people take black currant to help their:

  • blood flow
  • immune system
  • eye health
  • gut health
  • kidney health

Blackcurrant extracts are shown to reduce risk factors for metabolic conditions such as type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Sources:
https://foodfacts.mercola.com/black-currant.html
https://www.livestrong.com/article/250893-nutritional-benefits-of-black-currant-juice/
https://food.ndtv.com/health/amazing-health-benefits-of-black-currant-1844002

At Plaid Shirt Farms we grow 5 varieties of Black currants, chosen for their great taste, productivity and hardiness. The varieties are often blended for optimal results

Black Currants are available fresh in July or frozen and small batch processed into mouth watering goodness the rest of the year.

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