European Black currant
Ribes nigrum

Family: Grossulariaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 2 m high and spreads 1.8 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows as a group of canes. The young stems are downy. The leaves have 3-5 lobes. These are downy underneath. The flowers are yellow-green with red centres. They hang down and are downy. The fruit hang in loose bunches.

The fruit are rich in Vit C. There are about 150 Ribes species.

Where it is found

It needs a cool temperate climate. It can stand moderate frosts. It requires constant moisture. In the Himalayas it grows between 2,300-4,300 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Armenia, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Falklands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Serbia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are used for jam and drinks. They can also be used in sauces and pies. The buds are used for flavouring. They are used in pickles. The fresh leaves are eaten in soups. They are also used as a spice in sauerkraut. The fruit are used to make wine. The flowers are used in ice cream and liqueurs. The seeds are the source of high omega-6 oil used in salad dressings. It is only used as a food supplement.

About half a million tons of fruit per year are produced worldwide. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea, seeds - oil, twigs - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants are easily grown from cuttings of 2 year old canes. The 3 year old canes are cut off at two buds above soil level.

Plants fruit 2 years after planting.

Its other names

Local names

Casis, Cassis, Chernaia smorodina, Ciihi, Coacac negru, črno grozdičje, Grosella negra, Hei sui cu li, Karagat, Kasis, Kuro fusa suguri, Motskhari, Muradh, Must sostar, Nabar, Nabar beli, Papav, Papear, Ribes nero, Shaktekas, Sitikas, Solbaer, Viinimarja, Zwarte bes

Synonyms

Ribes nigrum f. chlorocarpum (Spath) Rehder; Ribes nigrum var. chlorocarpum Spath;