White currant: properties, varieties, cultivation and application

An unusual variety of white currant was bred by breeders and is popular with both amateur gardeners and professionals.More common varieties of currants - it is red and black, but white has a number of advantages and useful properties that distinguish it from others. In addition, the attractive and unusual appearance of such a culture can emphasize the design of any garden or suburban area.

This crop belongs to the gooseberry family. The height of the currant shrub does not exceed one and a half meters, and the fruits that appear on the shrub have a small size, rounded shape and are collected in clusters of a light yellow color. One of the features of white currant is that its fruits are able to stick on the bushes much longer than the fruits of red or black currants. This is a big plus for those gardeners who do not have the opportunity to harvest every day. In this case, you can be sure that even arriving at the garden or summer cottage in a couple of days, the fruits will be fresh and ready for harvest.

For those regions in which dry weather is often observed in summer, this kind of culture will be most welcome. It tolerates drought perfectly, and the yield from one shrub exceeds the number of berries on other types of currants.

Description of taste characteristics deserves special attention. White currant has a soft texture and sweet-sour pleasant taste. In addition, using the fruits of culture in desserts, you can get a special and delicate taste, because the taste of the berries is much higher than that of red or black currants. And although the white currant in different dishes is not used as often because of its losing appearance compared to the bright types of berries, it has earned its popularity among even the most captious gourmets due to unsurpassed taste.

Unlike other types of this culture, the use of white currant for the cardiovascular system is much more, since the content of iron and potassium in it abound. The berries also include pectin, which makes it possible to make jelly, which will have a unique taste, and the presence of a large number of acids that are important for maintaining the body makes this berry even more popular. Also for health, this berry is indispensable because it contains fiber, which is important for effective digestion, proteins, carbohydrates and other useful elements. It is in the berries of white currant concentrated a large number of different vitamins.

• Vitamin A beneficial effect on the maintenance of immunity, strengthens eyesight, prevents the appearance of tumors, supports the lungs (which is important for smokers).
• B vitamins contribute to the strengthening of blood vessels, which, in turn, supply the brain with blood and from the effective work of which depends the normal functioning of the whole organism. Vitamins of this group prevent the occurrence of stress, allow you to better cope with the psychological stress, as well as improve human memory.
• Also contained in the berries vitamins C, P, folic acid, beta carotenewhich gives such an unusual yellowish-golden hue to the berries. Magnesium, which is useful for the human nervous system, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, which ensure the normal functioning and development of the body. Popular for those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle and diets, makes the berries also their low calorie content. So, one hundred grams of white currant contains only 40 kilocalories.

The berry is also useful for supporters of healthy food in that pectin contained in its composition contributes to the removal of harmful substances and elements from human blood and generally affects the quality of blood. This is the most important value of this culture. The absence of allergens makes the berries useful for both children and the elderly, who especially need to monitor the level of vitamins in the body.

Many experts note that vitamin E, which is part of this currant, can work wonders and prolong youth, because it has an excellent antioxidant effect - the ability to improve the processes of reproduction, slow down aging, prevent the appearance of cataracts.

In order to get the maximum amount of nutrients from the berries, it must be eaten fresh. The best option would be to eat them just plucked from the bushes. So you can fully enjoy its taste characteristics and get more benefits. Experts and experienced gardeners argue that if you eat a handful of white currant berries during the season of its maximum yield, you can very well strengthen the immune system, and the body will not be afraid of any disease.

In folk medicine there are a large number of recipes, which feature white currant. Its properties are endless, and therefore the scope of application is very extensive. So, a decoction of the berries used by those who suffer from diseases of the lungs, this infusion helps a lot when you cough. It can also be used as a febrifuge. But not only fresh berries can be used to create healing drinks. Dried currants are perfect for the treatment of atherosclerosis, rheumatism, anemia.

In addition to berries, white currant leaves are also useful, which also have positive feedback from use in traditional medicine. Leaves can be added to drinks (teas, infusions), they give them an extra tart and pleasant aroma, and also somewhat change the taste and complement them with vitamins. The leaves are also often put in marinades and pickles, as they are able to prevent fermentation processes due to their unique bactericidal properties. The content of vitamin C is so high in white currant leaves that they are also used in cosmetology - masks and lotions are created on their basis.

Despite the large number of positive characteristics, currant, like any culture, has its own contraindications. When gastritis should be extremely careful to use these berries, because they have excessive acidity, which can provoke ulcers. Not only white, but also other types of currant (red, black) are contraindicated for those who suffer from various blood diseases. So, with hemophilia, poor blood clotting should not be used. The same applies to those diagnosed with hepatitis.

Varieties and varieties of white currant are a great many. Below are the most popular ones.

• "Versailles". This variety was bred in the XIX century, France is considered to be its birthplace. The difference from the rest of the species is the increased yield and larger fruits of berries (up to 10 millimeters in diameter and up to 1.3 grams by weight), which are formed on the shrub. Today "Versailles" white currant is represented on almost every summer cottage or garden plot in all regions of Russia. The shrub grows to a height of no more than one and a half meters, but has sprawling branches, which makes it pleasing to the eye, and the berries have a sweet-sour, refreshing and juicy pulp that is under the dense, but thin skin. For the cultivation of such fruits berries should pay attention to the fact that the landing site was sufficiently lit, and to the maximum limit the space from drafts and winds.

• "Ural". This type of currant has great advantages over other varieties.It is resistant to cold temperatures, bad weather is not an obstacle to good growth, shrubs grow small but productive (up to 6 kilograms of berries can be harvested from a single bush, each of which grows more than 1.1 grams). Fruits ripen early enough, the shrub itself does not have special requirements for growing and care, is very unpretentious, is self-pollinated, and therefore suitable even for those who do not have much experience in growing white currants. Especially popular in the Volga region, also grown in the suburbs. Delicate taste and aroma attract any gardener.

• Currant Variety "White Fairy" (or "Diamond" currant) is a leader among this crop and is in great demand and popularity among novice gardeners, as well as among those who already have extensive experience in growing berries. For dry regions, this is an ideal crop, as it tolerates the absence of moisture and watering very well. The weight and shape of the berries on one shrub can differ from each other: from perfectly round to oblong shape and with a mass of 0.8 grams to 2. The color of the berries is pale yellow and depends on the growing conditions. In some cases, you can get perfectly white berries that do not have the aroma and smell, but are later used for preparing desserts, where the sweet-sour taste of the fruits gives a special feature to dishes.

• Smolyaninovskaya. It is grown mainly in the Far East and in the central regions where ideal conditions for growth have been created for it. This plant grows quickly enough, during the summer period the branches of the plant grow more than 30 cm, and therefore the shrub needs to be thinned out regularly so that the crown does not thicken. One bush of currant for the yield period gives a little more than 6 pounds of fruit. The weight of the berries is small (up to 1 gram), but their taste is attractive for those who like to cook fruit drinks and desserts - sweet and sour, slightly spicy, different from other varieties of currants.

• Potapenko. This variety can successfully grow even a novice. One can talk endlessly about its survival in a variety of conditions. It is cold-resistant, resistant to diseases and pests. The shrub grows small, with one hectare of land with proper care, you can collect 5.8 tons of fruit. The berries ripen very early, thus making it possible in the middle of summer to enjoy the taste of the fruit. In addition, the berries themselves for a long period of time can remain on the branches of the shrub, which is important for those gardeners who do not have the ability to daily care for the crop.

• "Bayana". It differs in late terms of fruit ripening, but after waiting for the first berries, you can see a very high yield from one shrub. In addition, the harvest is very stable, - up to 3 kilograms from one bush. Cream-colored berries may have a slightly yellowish tint, their mass does not exceed 1 gram (the average size of berries is 0.5 grams). The implicit currant flavor of the fruit is suitable for making desserts, jams, jellies and compotes.

• Uterborg. This variety is common in Eastern Siberia and in the North-West of Russia, it ripens early and can tolerate dry weather conditions. Low shrub whose yield is stable - up to 8 pounds from one bush. The berries are small and have a mass of up to 1 gram, they stay on the branches for a long time, which allows them to be collected even after a few days after the berries appear on the shrub.

• "Grape" white currant has an average ripening period. Spreading shrub grows small, but with large berries of a light cream color and rounded shape.The taste of berries is sweet and sour, bright and juicy, ideal for creating desserts, as well as for fresh consumption. The conditions for growing shrubs are very simple, because beginner gardeners like this variety, who do not yet have sufficient experience in the fight against pests and adverse weather conditions, besides shrubs do not need to be treated for aphids. Variety tolerates small frosts and does not cause trouble, and therefore enjoys well-deserved popularity.

• "Belyana". It differs from other varieties of white currant amazing taste characteristics. According to expert tasters, these berries have the most vivid and pleasant taste. Dense brushes of berries weighing up to 1.5 grams are formed on shrubs, their total weight is up to 4 kilograms. "Belyana" perfectly tolerates the winter, even the lowest temperatures are not terrible for it (it can grow even in those areas where in winter the temperature drops below 30 degrees). The peculiarity of the berries is their skin, which is very thin and can be damaged during transportation.

• "Blanca". This variety is mid-season, and the first fruits can be seen in mid-July. With proper care, you can achieve fruits of almost transparent color with rich taste characteristics. Of all the varieties of white currant "Blanca" is one of the most productive species. Its powerful shrub has a large number of berries, the total weight of which can reach 40 tons per hectare. Variety tolerates winter, resistant to adverse weather and climatic conditions, perfectly adapts to them, is not susceptible to diseases.

Planting time of white currant depends on its root system: it is better to plant open seedlings in the ground in autumn (September or October), after clearing the rhizome from diseased or rotted or, on the contrary, dried up areas, and seedlings that are in containers can be planted not only in autumn, but also in spring when sunny days come, because this culture loves heat and sunlight very much. In the area where the white currant is planted, there should not be even a hint of the formation of shade (with the exception of only some varieties).

Shrub cultivation begins with the choice of soil - it must be either slightly acidic or neutral. If the soil abounds with sand, then it is necessary to fertilize the plant regularly for its good growth and subsequent large harvest. The depth of the pit for the seedling should be about 40 centimeters, and the distance between the bushes depends on the type of currant. Some varieties form unnecessarily spreading branches, so it is necessary that the neighboring bushes do not interfere with each other’s growth. The optimal distance is about 1 meter.

Care for white currants is necessary at all times of the year as possible. At the end of March, the plant needs treatment after hibernation - you need to remove dead branches, feed the plant with fertilizers (usually with nitrogen in the form of urea) for more rapid growth, and spray it. The soil also needs treatment - it needs to be loosened, allowing the root system to absorb all the necessary elements, it is worth getting rid of the crust on the soil.

In the summer, shrubs also need attention. Watering the plant, already in June, it must be simultaneously fed with organic elements. It is necessary to check the shrub for pests and diseases weekly. With the appearance of even the most insignificant symptoms of any disease, you should immediately start fighting it, so as not to provoke its spread to other cultures in the garden.

Often on the leaves can appear red spots, which many do not attach due importance, considering that in this way they fade in the sun. And at this time, the disease spreads to the entire shrub, changing the taste characteristics of the fruit at the same time, which ultimately can lead to the complete destruction of the plant. Red leaves are due to two main reasons: the appearance of aphids and the formation of fungus.

White currant is used in different culinary purposes.

Jam is prepared very simply. The amount of sugar should be equal to the number of berries. Fruits are thoroughly washed, dried, placed in a container for cooking, covered with sugar, left for 8 hours in the cold, then poured with boiling water and put on fire. The jam is ready when the berries are transparent.

Jelly is popular with children. It can be prepared for the winter, and in the cold time to prepare such delicious currant jelly sandwiches. The specialty of the dish is that for it sugar is practically not needed (only about a quarter of a glass per liter of juice). Gruel from the berries should be cooked no more than 5 minutes, then move into a colander, squeeze out the juice with a wooden spoon, then add sugar and leave on the fire for 15 minutes.

Marinades will help any housewife to simplify the process of cooking in the cold season. One of the most delicious marinades is prepared as follows: peas (no more than 5 pieces), cloves (no more than 10 pieces) and a small amount of cinnamon (for taste) are put into a 1 liter sterilized jar. Currants are collected from a shrub with sprigs, washed well, dried and then also placed in a jar.

Next, the marinade is prepared: 0.5 kg of sugar and about 150 milliliters of vinegar are needed per liter of water. The contents of the cans are filled with boiling marinade, after which they are rolled up with lids.

The benefits of red, black and white currants, see the following video.