Redcurrant: health benefits and harms

Bright red berries and spreading branches - this is what redcurrant, familiar to many from childhood, looks like. In the people it is also customary to call it “porechka” due to the fact that in the wild it is found mainly along the banks of rivers. The fruits of this shrub have a sweet and sour taste and rich aroma, perfect for preparing various dishes and drinks.

What is the difference between red and black currants

Red and black currants are similar to each other, but they have a number of differences. Red berries are more acidic than black, they do not have a bright aroma and taste. Blackcurrant is characterized by a sweeter, more saturated taste and aroma, it contains much more ascorbic acid. But red currant, in turn, differs in the content of a fairly large amount of vitamin A.

Not only the berries of these varieties differ, but also the shrubs themselves. So, black currant - a lush shrub with large leaves, its branches are thicker and the flowers are larger, as, however, the berries themselves, red - does not have such lush bushes, smaller leaves and berries.

Which currant is healthier: red or black

The champion in the number of vitamins and other valuable elements is black currant. It contains a record amount of vitamin C, by which it is second only to rose hips. Red currant contains this vitamin in a slightly smaller amount, but also can easily make up for its daily intake for the human body.

Composition and calorie content

Redcurrant contains many useful substances, including vitamins of group B, PP, C, carotene, as well as iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and sodium.

This berry is quite low-calorie - it contains only 39 kcal per 100 g. Of these, 7.3 g are carbohydrates, 0.2 g fats and 0.6 g proteins. This composition of macronutrients allows you to include red currants in the menu of those who are losing weight and those who seek to maintain their shape.

What is useful red currant

General benefit

The fact that the berry in question is useful, mankind has been convinced for a very long time. It is grown on almost every site, and is also an indispensable crop of many industrial farms. Although this berry is quite acidic, it is very important to eat it. It helps to cope with many ailments, as well as generally strengthen immunity and improve overall well-being.

Due to the large amount of vitamin C, red currants can increase immunity and help overcome colds and viral diseases. Potassium and magnesium help with problems with the cardiovascular system, carotene improves visual acuity, and a sufficient fiber content improves digestion.

For women

Redcurrant is an extremely healthy product for women.Due to the content of vitamins and minerals, this berry is able to improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails. Also, the fruits contain a sufficient amount of iron, which helps to increase hemoglobin, as well as improve the condition of a woman during menstruation. Improving stress tolerance, mood and improving the general condition of the body - such benefits can bring red currants to the body of a woman with regular use.

In addition, this berry helps to control appetite, and therefore - to keep fit. Low glycemic index and low calorie content make redcurrant an excellent product for health and slim figure.

For men

Men who engage in physical labor or often visit the gym need to eat carbohydrate-containing foods. One of these are berries, in particular - red currant. Its sugars are absorbed slowly, which allows you to maintain energy at the proper level for a long time.

Those who do not really like sour berries with an abundance of small seeds may like juice. It can be diluted in half with water and add sugar or honey to taste. But since there is no fiber in the juice, one of the useful properties of red currant will be lost.

During pregnancy

Since a colossal burden is placed on the body of the expectant mother during pregnancy, the question arises: is it possible to consume currants, because there are so many vitamins and other useful substances in it? Doctors say that there is no unequivocal ban on the use of this berry during pregnancy, but you should take into account the individual characteristics of the female body, its predisposition to allergies, and also observe the reaction some time after eating red currants.

In the absence of allergies and other negative consequences from consumption, this berry can only benefit the body of the expectant mother and her child.

Currant strengthens the immune system, and also helps to overcome colds and viral diseases of a pregnant woman who is banned from most medications to treat such ailments. Also, this berry fills the body with valuable substances, has a drainage effect and normalizes the digestion process.

Another important property of red currant is to increase resistance to stress and improve the emotional background. Regular use of this berry will help a woman cope with all the difficulties of pregnancy and prevent the development of postpartum depression.

When breastfeeding

Redcurrant during breastfeeding is allowed to be used only if the baby is not prone to allergies and is not tormented by colic. Then this berry will really bring only benefits, filling breast milk with useful substances. But if the mother notices any negative reaction in the child, and the day before she tried the berries of red currant, she should better refuse this treat for a while.

Eating red currants is recommended only after the child is at least 3 months old. You should also carefully consider the introduction of such berries into the diet, however, like any other product. The intake should begin with 2–5 berries, gradually increasing the portion to 50–100 g. At the same time, it is advisable for the nursing mother to eat not raw berries, but thermally processed ones, adding them to various dishes or making drinks from them.

For children

Since red currant is quite an allergenic berry (due to the bright scarlet color), it must be introduced into the children's diet very carefully. In the absence of allergies, it is allowed to give fruit juice, compote or diluted redcurrant juice to children after 7 months. First, you should give the baby a taste of a spoonful of this drink, the next day you can give two tablespoons, and if all is well, another day increase the serving again, bringing it to a volume of 30-50 ml by 9 months. Whole berries in raw form should not be offered to children under 12 months of age.

Red currant is useful for children, as it contains many vitamins and minerals. It helps with colds, increases hemoglobin, helps to maintain vision, and also strengthens the baby's immunity, which is especially important in the first years of life.

When losing weight

To put in order a figure, first of all it is necessary to change a food. It is important to include in it a sufficient amount of fiber, which contributes to good digestion and normalizes metabolic processes in the body. Redcurrant is also able to remove excess cholesterol, normalize blood sugar and make up for the lack of vitamins and other useful substances during the diet.

To lose weight with red currants, you must include it in your daily diet. You can eat this berry both fresh and as part of various dishes and drinks. Red currant permanently eliminates the feeling of hunger and nourishes with energy, which makes it an indispensable product for losing weight.

Is frozen redcurrant useful?

The best way to store red currants is to freeze. This berry does not lose its properties when frozen, so it is as useful in frozen form as in fresh. A tasty and low-calorie product can be on the table of those who take care of their health throughout the year, as it is quite simple to prepare it. It is enough to inspect the berries for damage, rinse thoroughly, dry, pack in bags or other containers for freezing and place in the freezer.

Delicious stewed fruit, fruit drinks, preserves can be prepared from frozen red currants, as well as added to pies, casseroles and other pastries, made from it jelly, juice and even wine. Frozen berries of red currant can be consumed in the same way as fresh ones, since when frozen they do not lose their taste.

Useful properties of red currant leaves

Useful properties have not only red currant berries, but also leaves, which contain a considerable amount of valuable substances. The greenery of this shrub has:

1. A diuretic effect, which allows it to be used in the treatment of cystitis and some other diseases of the genitourinary system.
2. The ability to enhance immunity, as well as treat colds and viral diseases.
3. Relieve fatigue and nervous strain.

All of these properties of redcurrant leaves suggest that this product is extremely beneficial for humans. Leaves can be brewed instead of tea or made from them a decoction. You can harvest leaves for the winter by drying.

The benefits of redcurrant blanks

Porechka is a valuable berry that benefits both fresh and cooked. It produces a wide variety of delicious dishes in which many vitamins and other useful substances are stored. Drinks such as compote, fruit drink, juice and wine are prepared from redcurrant, and desserts are also made: jelly, jam, etc.

The juice

The use of redcurrant juice is obvious, since it contains the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals. Juice can be diluted with water and add sugar or honey to taste. It is worth using in order to increase immunity or help the body overcome a cold. It is also useful for deficiency of vitamins of group B, C, PP, low hemoglobin and chronic fatigue.

It is recommended to give juice to children predisposed to anemia and rickets, however, the introduction of this product should begin no earlier than 7 months of age, and preferably after a year. You need to give the juice in a diluted form, starting with one spoon and gradually bringing to the desired volume (usually 50-100 ml).

Jam

Red currant is an excellent berry for making jam. It turns out not sweetly sweet, but with sourness, so this jam does not need to add other berries and fruits.It should be noted that many useful substances of the raw material are preserved in redcurrant jam, so such a treat will not only be a delicious addition to tea, but also a contribution to one's own health.

Jelly

There are several options for making redcurrant jelly, but all of them are based on the juice of this healthy berry, which makes the dessert itself a very valuable product. Redcurrant jelly is an excellent treat for children and adults, it will be a great addition to tea drinking, as well as replenish in the body the missing vitamins and minerals, increase immunity and strengthen the general condition.

Compote

Compote made from red currant is a tasty and healthy drink that can be consumed fresh or harvested for the winter. Many people like the sour taste of compote from the river, and if you take into account that this drink contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients, then we can definitely say that red currant compote is one of the best. You can cook it with the addition of other berries or fruits, but here it all depends on individual taste preferences.

The use of redcurrant compote is in its composition, in which a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals is stored. It is recommended to drink it with a cold, general fatigue, low immunity and just as a delicious dessert drink.

Morse

A very useful drink made from red currant berries is a fruit drink prepared according to the classic recipe, which provides for minimal heat treatment of the berries. Redcurrant fruit drink has a rich taste and has a number of useful properties. It helps to overcome a number of ailments:

• nausea and vomiting
• digestion problems;
• gallbladder disease;
• decreased and lack of appetite;
• colds accompanied by fever.

Regular consumption of redcurrant fruit drinks strengthens human health, and also replenishes the spent energy and vitamins in the body.

Wine

Redcurrant wine is an alcoholic drink whose use should be very moderate. But this does not mean that it should be excluded altogether. A small amount of home-made red currant wine will have a general strengthening effect, improve blood counts and its renewal, normalize the cardiovascular and nervous system, and accelerate the regenerative processes of damaged tissues.

Just one glass of redcurrant wine will allow dinner to digest, and also improve the absorption of iron from food. But the regular use of two or more glasses of any wine, including currant, can lead to the exact opposite result - a deterioration in all indicators of health and alcohol dependence.

Redcurrant in medicine

Redcurrant contains a large amount of vitamins, as well as potassium, iron, carotene, malic and succinic acid, pectin and nitrogenous substances, selenium and other elements. Such a valuable composition allows us to call this berry a real storehouse of nutrients. Scientists have proven that redcurrant has the ability to destroy cancer cells and prevent the formation of new ones. Due to its rich composition and amazing properties, red currant has occupied an honorable place in folk medicine. It is recommended to use it for many diseases.

With diabetes

Red and black currants are allowed for use by people suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Due to the high content of pectins and fiber, the carbohydrates contained in its composition are absorbed quite slowly, without causing sudden jumps in insulin in the blood.

In addition to the fact that redcurrant can be a product that adds variety to the diabetic menu, this berry can significantly improve the condition of a person suffering from diabetes. For medicinal purposes, you need to eat fresh or frozen berries whole, limited to a volume of 100-150 g per day.Infusions of red currant leaves can be used for the same purpose half a glass six times a day. An infusion is prepared as follows: 2 tbsp. dry leaves of red currant pour a glass of boiling water and insist for half an hour.

Important: glycemic index of red currant - 25 units.

With pancreatitis

Is the use of red currant acceptable for pancreatitis? Contrary to the mistaken opinion of many, this useful berry should be excluded from your diet for pancreatitis, but this only applies to the acute phase of the disease. There are several reasons for this:

1. The composition of currants includes malic, ascorbic and succinic acids, which can provoke an increase in the production of pancreatic enzymes, due to which the so-called "digestion" of the pancreas occurs.
2. This berry is capable of exerting a choleretic effect, and the components of bile penetrating into pancreatic streams turn proenzymes into aggressive enzymes.
3. A large amount of fiber (almost 3.5 g per 100 g of berries) causes diarrhea and bloating, which is also unacceptable with pancreatitis.

But these limitations apply only to the acute phase of pancreatitis. If a person is in a phase of remission, it is not just possible for him, but you need to include redcurrant in your diet. Only after all the symptoms of acute pancreatitis disappear, the patient is allowed to eat berries both fresh and thermally processed. Red currant is good both on its own and in the composition of drinks, preserves, pastries, and it also decorates desserts perfectly.

But still, before you start eating red currants with pancreatitis, even in the remission phase, you should consult your doctor. Excessive consumption of this berry, like any other product with a high content of organic acids, can cause a resumption of symptoms and a breakdown in remission.

With a satisfactory result, patients can eat portions of sizes up to 150 g of berry per day. It is also recommended to use decoctions, infusions and teas from red currant leaves, which helps to overcome problems with the pancreas.

With gastritis

Red currant is useful in many diseases, but it should be used with caution in gastritis due to increased acidity of the stomach. If gastritis arose against a background of low acidity, red currant can and should be included in the diet. This applies to both fresh berries and fruit drinks, juice and other preparations.

With gastritis of any type, drinks based on red currant leaves are shown, which help to improve digestion and alleviate the condition in this disease. It is recommended to use decoctions or infusions half an hour before meals for several days to see a tangible result.

For constipation

Like all foods that include fiber, redcurrant helps fight constipation, including chronic ones. In the absence of allergies and stomach problems, you can safely include these berries in your menu. To overcome such an unpleasant phenomenon as constipation, it is enough to eat half a glass of fresh berries two to three times a day, as well as drink fruit drinks, compotes, juices made on the basis of red currant.

With gout

Due to the anti-inflammatory effect of red currant, this berry can be consumed with gout. This disease is quite serious, it has an inflammatory nature and is accompanied by severe pain. Like other berries, red currants can help overcome the discomfort associated with this disease. This berry can be consumed both fresh and thermally processed, since it practically does not lose its beneficial properties. Regular inclusion of currants in your diet helps relieve the inflammatory process, reducing the strength and frequency of attacks.

With gout, it is allowed to eat fresh berries, but it is best to prepare such a medicinal drink on their basis: pour three tablespoons of berries with a glass of boiling water and insist for four hours. The resulting drink is divided into four parts and taken during the day half an hour before meals.

To relieve pain and other symptoms of gout, people have a recipe for making a drink of their currant leaves. To prepare it, you need to take 1 tbsp. dry currant leaves, pour a glass of boiling water, strain and drink instead of tea three times a day, adding honey or sugar to taste.

For the liver

The berry in question contains substances with a choleretic effect. This means that its use helps digestion, and also improves the condition of the liver and gall bladder. Regular consumption of red currant fruits in food will improve the ability of the liver to cleanse the blood, and also eliminate stagnation in the gallbladder, including the prevention of stone formation.

To achieve a therapeutic effect, it is recommended to consume from 50 to 150 g of red currant. Moreover, in this case, fresh berries are best suited, in extreme cases, frozen.

Redcurrant in cosmetology

The rich content of vitamins A, PP and C in red currant allows you to preserve the beauty of the skin, hair and nails.

For face

1. A mask of 2 tbsp will help overcome the problem of rashes. white clay and 4 tablespoons juice of red currant. Thoroughly mix these two ingredients and apply to clean skin, hold for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
2. You can moisturize your skin with a mask of juice (or mashed potatoes) of red currant, honey and oily sour cream. This composition has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face, making it radiant and healthy.
3. A mask of redcurrant juice, fat curd and honey helps to reduce age-related manifestations and prevent the appearance of new wrinkles. Mix these ingredients, apply on face and leave for half an hour, then rinse with warm water.
4. From expanded pores, a mask of wheat flour and berry juice, mixed in equal proportions, will help. Apply the healing composition to the skin of the face, hold for about 20 minutes and rinse. After the procedure, it is advisable to wipe the face with a cotton pad dipped in tightly brewed black tea.

For hair

This berry with regular use will make the hair more healthy and shiny, they will stop falling out much, and the problem of split ends will no longer bother. In addition to the direct consumption of berries for food, the people know several cosmetic recipes based on red currant:

1. To prepare the mask, take in the required quantity (depending on the length and density of the hair) red currant berries, 15 g of dry brewer's yeast, one yolk and 1 tsp. honey. Mix all ingredients, mashed into a homogeneous gruel. Apply the resulting mask to the hair from the roots to the ends, hold for 15–20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Such a mask can strengthen thin and weak hair, as well as restore volume and splendor to the hairstyle.
2. Currant leaf broth is good for hair. They are advised to rinse their hair every time after washing. It is not difficult to prepare a decoction: take 7 tbsp. currant leaves, grind them in a blender, pour a liter of boiling water and boil for about half an hour. Then strain the liquid and cool. You can store the resulting broth for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
3. Restoring hair after dyeing or using other potent chemicals can be done using the following redcurrant mask: 2 tbsp. turn the berries into gruel, mix with a teaspoon of honey, 10 g of dried yeast and 2 tsp. water. Apply the resulting slurry to the hair, wrap it with polyethylene, and towel on top, leave for half an hour and rinse.
4. You can get rid of the problem of split ends with the help of such a tool: grind 2 tbsp in a blenderberries of red currant, 1 small apple and 15–20 ml of burdock oil. Apply the mask to the hair, hold for 2 hours and rinse. The result will be noticeable after a few procedures.

Harm and contraindications

Despite the fact that red currant is a very useful berry, not everyone can consume it. This berry is contraindicated, first of all, to those who have individual intolerance to the components that make up its composition. It should be noted that allergies to redcurrant are a fairly common occurrence, and some people can eat these berries without any consequences, and even when using them for cosmetic purposes, they can notice allergic manifestations.

Limit the use of berries of bright color, which include redcurrant, should be pregnant and lactating women. Such measures are important to prevent the development of allergies in the newborn. However, in small doses, this berry will, on the contrary, be useful during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Redcurrant should not be abused by persons suffering from gastritis against the background of increased acidity. This berry contains a large proportion of organic acids, which can only aggravate stomach problems.

Another contraindication to the use of berries on an empty stomach. This product is quite aggressive to the stomach, so it is better to eat it as a dessert.

In cases of hepatitis, pancreatitis, hemophilia and decreased blood coagulation, the use of red currants should be strictly controlled. It is advisable for such people to consult a doctor before including this delicious berry on their menu.

Collection and storage of red currants

Currant is one of the favorite berries among Russians. Red and black varieties of this berry are found in almost every household plot. But it is not enough to grow currants, you need to be able to maintain the crop in order to be able to enjoy healthy berries at any time of the year.

Collect red currants should be after its full maturity. In the southern regions, this period falls in the middle of summer, in the more northern - at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Unripe berries should not be eaten to avoid digestion problems such as indigestion and indigestion. You can determine the ripeness of the berry by its color - they should be saturated dark red in color. Also, ripe fruits have a characteristic taste and aroma, are easily separated from the stalks, and the branches acquire a brownish color.

In some cases, it is possible to pick an unripe berry when it is necessary to store or transport it for several days. During this time, the currant ripens and becomes suitable for eating and harvesting.

It is best to collect red currants manually, but in the case of large volumes it is possible to use special devices - berry pickers. This kind of harvester will allow you to collect the entire crop from the bush in a matter of minutes, without causing significant damage to the leaves and branches of currant.

Harvesting should be done in the morning and evening hours in dry and warm weather. If you harvest after rain or during dew, the berries can crush and turn into porridge. It is necessary to lay the currants in a small container, wooden crates are best suited - so the berries will retain their shape and will not be remembered. It is also recommended to pick fruits with a twig, which also contributes to their better storage.

After the crop is harvested, it is necessary to carefully sort the berries, removing damaged specimens, leaves, branches and other garbage. Then rinse with running water and pour on paper towels to remove excess moisture. After the berries have dried, they can be used for harvesting.

Fresh storage of red currants can last no more than 1-2 weeks, and they must be placed in the refrigerator. In an airtight container or tightly closed glass containers, the shelf life may increase by another 1-2 weeks.

Is it possible to freeze

Freezing is the most common option for harvesting red currants for the winter.In the freezer, the berries will retain all their beneficial properties and taste throughout the year. Leaving them for the next year is not recommended. To freeze berries, it is necessary to decompose the already prepared crop in plastic bags for freezing and place in the freezer. Currants should be thawed at room temperature, and then consumed in the same way as fresh.

Is it possible to dry

Dried fruits can be made from red currants, which in the cold season can be used to make compotes or just replace them with sweets for tea. The most correct option for drying berries is in the oven. To do this, pour clean berries in a thin layer on a baking sheet and leave for 2-3 hours in the oven, heated to 200-230 degrees. The oven door should be slightly ajar at all times.

The option of drying berries in the open air is allowed, but you need to make sure that they are not in the open sun. In both cases, it is possible to check the degree of preparedness of dried fruits by checking them for the release of juice: the finished berries should not release moisture when pressed.

Conservation

Canned currants in the form of compotes, juices and preserves can be stored for a rather long time. Jam is made from berries and sugar in a ratio of 1: 1, compotes - in the traditional way, with the mandatory sterilization of storage containers.

What can be cooked from red currant: recipes

Red currant is a common culture among Russians that often appears fresh on the table and as a complement to other dishes. With its use, you can cook a wide variety of dishes.

Jelly

To make such a dessert from redcurrant, like jelly, you will need only two ingredients - sugar and the berries themselves. You can mix red varieties of currants with white or black, but then the color and consistency of the finished product will be slightly different.

For the preparation of jelly according to the classic recipe, it is necessary to take 1 kg of sugar per 1 kg of berries (possible with sprigs, but washed), put them in a large saucepan, mix for 5-10 minutes until the juice is formed. Then put the pan on a strong fire, constantly stirring the berries with sugar. For such a quantity of ingredients, it will take about 8-10 minutes to get the desired consistency. Willingness to determine is simple - the mixture can be removed from the fire when the foam has completely subsided and large bubbles will appear on the surface. After that, wipe the berry mass through a sieve in another container and pour into jars or plates. Jelly hardens in one night and acquires the desired texture.

If it is necessary to prepare jelly for the winter, it must be poured into sterilized glass jars, corked, turned and covered with a towel. In the morning, you can put the finished treat in a storage place.

Compote

Stewed compote is an excellent refreshing and vitamin drink for any feast. Each housewife can cook it according to the following recipe: a 3-liter jar will need 0.5 kg of berries, 0.4 g of sugar and 2.5 l of water. Berries can be separated from the branches or made compote with them - the drink will definitely not get worse from this. Transfer the selected berries to a clean, dry jar, sterilized in advance with the lid, separately boil the water and dissolve the sugar in it, then pour the berries with the syrup obtained and immediately roll them over the lid. After that, turn the jar over and leave it overnight under a towel.

Wine

Any alcoholic beverages should be consumed in a minimal amount, which applies to redcurrant homemade wine. It turns out not very strong (about 10-12 degrees), but retains most of the useful properties of red currant and can be an excellent addition to the festive dinner.

A simple wine recipe: 0.5 kg of fresh currant juice will need 0.5 kg of sugar and 1 liter of water. Juice must be obtained from berries manually, and preliminary washing and separation from branches are not required - bacteria are needed to start the fermentation process.

Pass the juice through a sieve or cheesecloth, add sugar and water to it, mix and pour into jars (2 liters per 3 liter jar). Cover with special covers for making wine with holes that can be bought at almost any hardware store. Place closed containers in a warm place for about a month. Shake the wine all this time every two days. Filter the finished drink through cheesecloth, cool and consume.

Jam

Redcurrant jam is prepared in much the same way as jelly. For 1.5 kg of berries you need to take 1.5 kg of sugar, mix until the juice appears and put on a small fire. Throughout the cooking process, constantly stir the berries with sugar so that they do not burn and stick. After the sugar has completely dissolved, pass the mass through a sieve or wipe it with a food processor. Then bring to a boil and immediately remove from the stove. Ready jam to pour on previously sterilized banks or plates (if long-term storage is not planned).

Sauce

Redcurrant sauce goes especially well with meat dishes. It can be prepared as follows: for 2 kg of berries, take 1 kg of sugar (divided into 3 parts), 1 cup of vinegar, 1 tsp. spices such as ground black and allspice, cloves, cinnamon.

Separate the berries from the branches, sort, wash and dry, then rub through a sieve, remove the cake and put the pan with the resulting juice on a slow fire. It is important not to allow a strong boil, otherwise the sauce will turn out to be too liquid. After 5 minutes, pour one part of the sugar into the juice, after 5 minutes - the second, and after 5 minutes - the rest. After the sugar has completely dissolved, add spices and pour vinegar. Then boil the sauce for about 5 minutes, pour into sterilized jars and roll up.

The juice

To make redcurrant juice, you must pass the berries through a juicer or grind them with a fork, then squeeze through cheesecloth. Add 100 g of sugar per liter of juice (or more, who loves the sweetest) and 250 g of water. Juice according to this recipe will be ready for use, and for harvesting for the winter it must be boiled for five minutes and rolled up in previously sterilized jars.

Marmalade

Recipe for delicious redcurrant marmalade with agar-agar: take 1.5 tsp for 0.4 kg of currant. agar-agar and 100 g of sugar. Grind the berries with a blender, pass through a sieve or cheesecloth, then add sugar and agar-agar, leave for half an hour, heat until the sugar dissolves, not allowing the mass to boil. After that, you can pour into containers or molds until completely solidified. Sprinkle the finished marmalade with sugar.

Confiture

The difference between jam and jam is that the first contains gelatin, starch or agar-agar. Confiture is prepared quite simply: iterate, wash, currant berries, pour sugar in equal proportions and grind. Then bring to a boil over low heat, add a thickener according to the instructions for each of them.

Adjika

Preparing adjika from red currant is not difficult, and many will like the taste of such an additive to dishes. It is necessary to take 0.5 kg of berries, 4 medium bell peppers, 4 small chili peppers, 6 cloves of garlic, 100 g sugar and 2 tsp salt. Pass all the ingredients through a blender, mix, taste, adjust salt / sugar / vinegar depending on individual preferences, put them in jars and put in the refrigerator for storage.

Kissel

To make red currant jelly, you need 300 g of berries, 6 tbsp. sugar, 2 tbsp. potato starch and a liter of water. Pour water into a saucepan and put on fire, add sugar after boiling, and then, when it dissolves, redcurrant berries. Boil all this for another 5 minutes, then strain through a sieve and discard the cake. Dilute starch in cold water (100 ml), gently combine with the base, avoiding the formation of lumps, boil for another 5 minutes and consume after cooling.

Ketchup

Red currants are suitable for making ketchup. Consider the classic version of this sauce. It will take 1 kg of currant berries, 1/4 tsp.ground red pepper, the same amount of cloves, 0.5 tsp. ground ginger, turmeric and curry, 2 peas of black allspice, 3 bay leaves and 2 cups of sugar.

Rinse the berries thoroughly, pour boiling water (blanch), then rub through a sieve. Mix the resulting juice with all other ingredients, cook for 6-8 minutes. In the process of boiling, stir ketchup constantly and remove the foam. Remove the bay leaf, pour the resulting sauce into sterilized jars and roll up.

Mousse

To prepare the mousse, you will need 700 g of red currant, 200 g of sugar, 3 egg whites, 15 g of gelatin and 100 ml of water. First, you should soak the gelatin in water, leaving it to swell, and then proceed directly to cooking.

Put the berries in a saucepan, add two tablespoons of water and heat, kneading a crush, until they give the juice. Then remove the berry mass from the heat and rub through a sieve. Add sugar to juice, mix until completely dissolved, and then add diluted gelatin. Whisk together with a mixer at medium speed, gradually introducing egg yolks. When the mass thickens and “grabs” at the edges - the mousse is ready.

Smoothie

There are many recipes for redcurrant smoothies. For example, you can beat 1 ripe banana in a blender, 100 g of currant berries and 200 ml of milk or kefir. You can add any berries or fruits depending on individual preferences, as well as make smoothies based on juice, mineral water or another drink.

Vinegar

To prepare homemade vinegar, you will need 500 g of branches of young red currant, a glass of berries themselves, 1.5 cups of sugar, 2.5 liters of water and a pinch of raisins.

Chop the shoots, put them in a jar or other container, place berries and raisins in the same place, add sugar and pour water. Top the jar with gauze and leave in a dark place for a month. Throughout the time, the composition must be mixed once every 1-2 days. Filter the finished vinegar, pour into bottles and refrigerate.

Marshmallows

From red currant a very tasty and fragrant marshmallow is obtained. You can cook it from the following ingredients: 350 g of berries, 600 g of sugar, 150 ml of water, 1 egg white, 4 tsp. agar-agar, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar. Agar agar pre-soak in water for an hour. Turn the berries into a smoothie, mix with sugar (3/4 part) and refrigerate. Separately, boil the syrup from agar-agar and the remaining sugar. Boil it to a state until the removed spoon begins to leave behind a thin stream. Then add one protein in the puree of berries, whipping the mass with a mixer, gradually pour the syrup with agar-agar.

Finished marshmallows can be used to make marshmallows. You can squeeze the halves with the help of a cooking bag or make an adaptation of their baking paper yourself. Lay out all the halves on parchment paper, leave for a day, then connect two halves together and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Paste

Redcurrant pastille is a delicious and healthy dessert. To prepare it, you will need 300 g of berries, 250 g of sugar, 50 g of powdered sugar and 1-2 tbsp. starch. Pour sugar and berries into a bowl, mix and wait for the juice to form. Then put in a saucepan and put on low heat. After boiling sugar with berries for 5–8 minutes, put everything in a blender and make a homogeneous mass. After that, put a sheet of parchment on the dryer, spread mashed potatoes on it with a thin layer, leave to dry for 4-6 hours at a temperature of 60 degrees. When the dessert is ready, you can get it, cut into plates, sprinkle with powder and roll into rolls.

Jam

Loved by many from childhood, red currant jam is very simple to prepare. This prescription of jam will allow you to save the maximum of useful substances, since it does not provide for a long heat treatment: take 0.5 kg of currant to take as much sugar, mix the ingredients and leave it to rest for several hours. When the currant starts juice, heat it on the stove for only 1-2 minutes to dissolve the sugar, and again set aside. After that, bring to a boil at maximum heat, stirring constantly and removing the foam, then remove from the stove, pour into sterilized jars and seal. You can store jam according to this recipe all year long.

How to eat red currants

Red currants are eaten as dessert after main courses, since they should not be consumed on an empty stomach due to the content of a large amount of acids. Berries are added to desserts, pastries and even meat dishes, and are also used as decorations.

How much can you eat per day

In the absence of allergies and other contraindications, red currants can be eaten in an amount of 50-300 g per day. If health problems still exist, you should consult your doctor about this.

Can I eat at night and on an empty stomach

It is not recommended to eat red currants on an empty stomach even at night, especially to those people who suffer from high acidity of the stomach. The option of using it in the morning or evening is allowed, but only after the main meal.

Can I eat with bones

It is recommended to eat redcurrant berries with the seeds, as they have the property of improving digestion and removing various toxins and toxins from the body. However, not everyone will benefit from berries along with seeds - they should be excluded for people suffering from stomach ulcers and other serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as for young children.

Is it possible for animals to give red currants

Redcurrant may be present in the diet of pets. The rich content of vitamin C in this berry makes it a valuable product for rabbits, guinea pigs, cats and even dogs. Of course, in each case, an individual approach is important, since not all animals have fresh berries as an acceptable food product. It should also be understood that red currant, like any other berry, should only be an addition to the main diet of a pet, and not its basis. Just a few berries a day is enough to provide the body of a beloved pet with useful substances.

Interesting facts about red currant

1. Currants are a close relative of gooseberries - both shrubs belong to Saxifrage, including peonies, incense and saxifrage.
2. Redcurrant is found in almost all countries of the world. It is an unpretentious shrub and is able to grow even in the wild, mainly along the rivers.
3. Only three varieties of currant are widely known: white, black and red. However, in the world there are several other varieties of this berry: yellow, orange, green and even purple.
4. Depending on the weather that fell during the ripening period of the currant, its beneficial properties will vary. So, the most useful berry becomes in sunny, but not very hot weather, with a moderate frequency of rain.
5. Natural dye is made from currant, which also has beneficial properties for the body.
6. Experienced housewives know that you need to add currant leaves to a jar with cucumbers and other pickles. So the workpieces are better stored and contain more vitamin C.
7. Currant is able to remove radioisotopes and heavy metals from the body. For this property, it is recommended to eat for people working in hazardous industries.

Photo of red currant