Blackcurrants

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Good Food team

Tart and aromatic blackcurrants are at their best in summer. Find out how to select and prepare blackcurrants and what you can make with them.

The most intensely coloured and flavoured of all currants, blackcurrants are highly aromatic and have a delicious tart flavour.

Recent research findings suggest that eating berry fruits such as blackcurrants can help prevent the onset of Alzheimers disease.

When are blackcurrants in season?

Blackcurrants are at their peak in June and July. You can buy frozen blackcurrants year-round.

Learn how to grow your own blackcurrants from the experts at Gardeners’ World.

Choose the best blackcurrants

Look for plump, firm currants with shiny, unbroken skins.

How to prepare blackcurrants

Strip the currants from their stalks. Add raw to fruits salads if they are not too tart or cook in a little water with sugar to taste. Do not overcook or they will lose their fresh flavour.

How to store blackcurrants

Can be kept in the fridge for several days. Suitable for freezing (see below)

How to freeze blackcurrants

Tip the berries onto a tray and remove any stems or unripe or damaged berries and leaves.
Weigh the berries and note the weight.
Rinse in cold water and dry completely.
Line a baking tray with baking parchment and arrange the berries on top in a single layer.
Freeze until the berries are solid.
Tip the frozen berries into a freezer bag and expel any excess air. Close and label with the date and weight, then return to the freezer.

How to cook blackcurrants

As blackcurrant juice, jam, tisane, jelly and in crème de cassis liquer. See our collection of blackcurrant recipes for more ideas.

Alternatives to blackcurrants

Try redcurrant or pinkcurrant.