Blackcurrant

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is a temperate fruit crop native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia, and is widely cultivated both commercially and domestically for its abundant berries. It is less well known in the USA where it has been subject to restrictions for much of the 20th century.

It is a medium sized shrub, growing to 1.5 x 1.5 metres. The leaves are alternate, simple, 3–5 cm long and broad, and palmate with five lobes, with a serrated margin. The flowers are 4–6 mm diameter, with five reddish-green to brownish petals; they are produced in racemes 5–10 cm long.

When not in fruit, all parts of the plant are strongly aromatic, with the familiar blackcurrant fragrance. In midsummer the green fruit ripens to an edible berry up to 1 cm in diameter, very dark purple in colour, almost black, with a glossy skin and a persistent calyx at the apex, and containing several seeds dense in nutrients (notably Vitamin C). An established bush can produce up to 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of fruit.

Plants from Asia are sometimes distinguished as a separate variety, Ribes nigrum var. sibiricum, or even as a distinct species Ribes cyathiforme.