Blackcurrant ribes nigrum
The blackcurrant is a temperate shrub which produces small edible berries with a high natural vitamin C content, which are very dark purple/blue in colour—almost black—hence the name. Like the other true currants (not to be confused with the kind of currant that is a dried grape), it is classified in the genus Ribes. Blackcurrants are very easy and cheap to grow and freeze well.
Blackcurrants have a slightly bitter taste; They are made into jam, ice cream, cordial and liqueur. In the UK, Europe and Commonwealth countries, some types of confectionery include a blackcurrant flavour, but this is generally missing in North America, even in the same brand.
These little fruits are best known for being high in Vitamin C, however they have many other health benefits, from their high fibre content to the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) (a very rare essential fatty acid) found in the seeds.
Blackcurrant nutritional information
| Nutrient | Amount/100g | RDA of nutrient |
| Water | 77.4 g | |
| Energy | 28 kcal | 2000kcal (women) 2500kcal (men) |
| Protein | 0.9 g | |
| Fat | trace | |
| Carbohydrate | 6.6 g | |
| Glucose | 3 g | |
| Fructose | 3.4 g | |
| Fibre | 3.6 g | |
| Folate (Folic Acid) | - |
200 micrograms |
| Vitamin C | 200 milligrams | 60 milligrams |
| Vitamin E | 1 milligrams | 4 milligrams (men) |
| 3 milligrams (women) | ||
| Potassium | 370 milligrams | 3500 milligrams |
| Iron | 1.3 milligrams | 8.7 milligrams (men) |
| 14.8 milligrams (women) |
Nutritional information from The Composition of Foods (5th Edition); Holland, Unwin, Buss
Recommended Daily Amount
as recommended by the Foods Standards Agency (UK)