Botanical description of Blackcurrant :

Blackcurrant is a shrub that can grow up to 1.5 m tall, with very fragrant leaves of 3 to 5 lobes, alternate and petiolate, indented and doubly toothed.

Blackcurrant aroma comes from small yellow resin glands located under the leaves.

Crumpling them releases an essential oil with a distinctive scent that distinguishes blackcurrants from other shrubs of the Ribes genus.

Its bell-shaped flowers (7-8mm) are greenish-white on the inside, reddish on the outside, with a hairy calyx, and are arranged in long, hanging clusters in the leaf axils. They flower from April to May. Its fruits, black berries measuring 12-15 mmn, ripen in July-August.

Also known as blackcurrants, these berries are renowned for their delicate, tart flavors. These exquisite flavors make blackcurrants a must-have ingredient in the kitchen. It is widely used to make syrups, liqueurs, juices, sorbets and ice creams. It can also be used to make jams and coulis.

In addition, before picking the berries, it is advisable to wait until they are completely black. Once they’ve turned from green to black, it’s a good idea to wait another 2 weeks before picking them. This gives them time to swell and become naturally loaded with sugar. In fact, it’s best to taste them to make sure they’re ripe.

Blackcurrants are also very high in fiber. Easily digested, it can be eaten as a vegetable in a poultry-based recipe. Firm and hardy, blackcurrants can easily be stored for up to 3 weeks, without losing their nutritional and taste qualities.

What are the benefits of blackcurrant leaves for the body?

While fruits are favored in cooking, leaves and their potential are favored in phytotherapy.

The leaves are harvested when the shrub flowers, in April.

Dried blackcurrant leaves are useful for:

– Blackcurrant leaves stimulate the urinary tract and promote drainage, thanks to a formula naturally rich in active ingredients, notably flavonoids.

-According to ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy), blackcurrant’s anti-inflammatory properties have been highlighted in numerous studies. Blackcurrant alleviates joint pain, rheumatism, arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout.

–Allergy relief: Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is the anti-allergy bud par excellence. It has anti-histaminic, cortison-like and therefore anti-inflammatory properties for ENT congestion. Blackcurrant bud should not be taken after 4 p.m., as it stimulates the adrenal glands and can therefore have an excitatory effect that can interfere with sleep.

Our France-Herboristerie blackcurrant products:

Blackcurrant herbal teas: 100 grams , 250 grams, 1kg

Capsules: 100 capsules, 200 capsules

Tablets: 120 tablets, 200 tablets

Gemmotherapy: 15ml

Articulations” herbal tea with Blackcurrant, Harpagophytum, Ash…: 300 grams