Redcurrant Juice

The Healthy Redcurrant Juice 

Redcurrants

Redcurrant is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the gooseberry family.  It bears tiny red and shiny fruits similar to that of grapes due to their size and shape. In fact, the Greeks long ago thought that redcurrants and grapes were the same!  Redcurrants were first cultivated in Europe, but the name currant was coined in Corinth, Greece.

black, red, and white currant varieties

These red shiny fruits are tender and taste really sweet with a hint of sourness quite similar to raspberries. Its semi-translucent bodies are filled with tiny, solid seeds. Just like grapes, they grow in clusters.  Redcurrant actually looks like a cross between a grape and a cherry, because its size and clusters are similar to grapes and its color and shape is that of a cherry. But, the thing is redcurrants are remarkably unique.

Because of redcurrants ability to emit its bright red color, it is usually used in cooking as a color – it enhances many dishes colors and taste as well. Although currants are usually consumed fresh, its sweet tart flavor made them a popular jam, jelly, juice, and pie fruit.

History

During the 20th century, 2 centuries after redcurrant was introduced to the Americas by Europeans, all varieties of currants including red, black and white currants were banned all over the United States! Why?

The redcurrants history is a series of unfortunate events. Redcurrant started to host and spread a disease that affected all the  pine tree production of United States. The country was left no other choice but to stop all cultivation of redcurrant. The ban stayed until 1966 when jurisdiction was passed to individual states allowing them to decide if the will prohibit redcurrant cultivation or not.  Most of the states decided that it was time to lift the ban and redcurrant spread through USA. But in some states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine redcurrant remained banned. So if you want to cultivate your own redcurrant you need to contact the relevant government department to make sure you’re allowed. Despite all that, redcurrant kept its reputation in Europe where it was never banned. 

Redcurrant Juice Health Benefits

Redcurrants are extremely healthy and is sometimes even considered as superfood. This red fruit is rich in potent antioxidants such as vitamin C. This antioxidant defends and protects our bodies against harmful substances that cause diseases and illnesses. Redcurrant also contains two of the most powerful antioxidants, anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin – these are some of the few substances which can remove free radicals from our bodies. These radicals are fatal for us in the long run – they are cancerous, accelerate aging, and degenerate our cells and eventually our organs.

Benefits of Redcurrants

Redcurrants can help you with lots of diseases, here are some of the benefits that they can give us:

  • Fever-reducing
  • Menstrual flow inducing
  • Mild laxative
  • Anti-diuretic
  • Increases appetite
  • Astringent
  • Sweat-inducing
  • Contains digestive properties

Tea made from redcurrants dried leaves has been proven to treat and relieve the symptoms of gout and rheumatism.  Redcurrants also contains high levels of potassium which is an essential mineral for our cells and tissues, it also plays an important role in skeletal and muscular contractions. Potassium is also good for the heart function.

It treats minor burns because of its antiseptic properties. Redcurrant’s jelly is also used for burn healing process – it is  applied gently on the burnt skin after cooling it off with cold water. 

Redcurrant Nutritional Value

(per 1 cup or 112 g of redcurrants)

62.7 Calories

Total Carbohydrate:  15.5 g

Total Fat:  0.2 g

Total Omega-3 fatty acids:  39.2 mg

Total Omega-6 fatty acids:  59.4 mg

Protein:  1.6 g

Vitamin A:  47.0 IU

Vitamin C:  45.9 mg

Vitamin E:  0.2 mg

Vitamin K:  12.3 mcg

Riboflavin:  0.1 mg

Niacin:  0.1 mg

Vitamin B6:  0.1 mg

Folate:  9.0 mcg

Pantothenic Acid:  0.1 mg

Choline:  8.5 mg

Calcium:  37.0 mg

Iron:  1.1 mg

Magnesium:  14.6 mg

Phosphorus:  49.3 mg

Potassium:  308 mg

Sodium:  1.1 mg

Zinc:  0.3 mg

Copper:  0.1 mg

Manganese:  0.2 mg

Selenium:  0.7 mcg

Redcurrant Juice Recipe 

Ingredients:

serves 4-6

  • 1 quart or 4 cups of fresh redcurrants
  • 375 ml cold water
  • 4 tablespoons white sugar or honey
  • Ice cubes

Directions:

  1. In a blender, mix the redcurrants, some ice cubes, cold water, and sugar.
  2. Pour in a medium-sized pitcher and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
  3. Drop some ice cubes and redcurrants into the juice for garnish.
  4. Serve in individual glasses.
  5. Enjoy.

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