Redcurrants
| Redcurrant | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Cultivated redcurrant | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Grossulariaceae |
| Genus: | Ribes |
| Species: | R. rubrum |
| Binomial name | |
|
Ribes rubrum L. 1753 not Torr. & A. Gray 1840 nor Hook. f. & Thomson 1858 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
List
|
|
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 234 kJ (56 kcal) |
|
13.8 g
|
|
| Sugars | 7.37 g |
| Dietary fiber | 4.3 g |
|
0.2 g
|
|
|
1.4 g
|
|
| Vitamins | |
| Thiamine (B1) |
(3%)
0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(4%)
0.05 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(1%)
0.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
(1%)
0.064 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
(5%)
0.07 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
(2%)
8 μg |
| Choline |
(2%)
7.6 mg |
| Vitamin C |
(49%)
41 mg |
| Vitamin E |
(1%)
0.1 mg |
| Vitamin K |
(10%)
11 μg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(3%)
33 mg |
| Iron |
(8%)
1 mg |
| Magnesium |
(4%)
13 mg |
| Manganese |
(9%)
0.186 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(6%)
44 mg |
| Potassium |
(6%)
275 mg |
| Sodium |
(0%)
1 mg |
| Zinc |
(2%)
0.23 mg |
|
|
|
|
|
| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
|
The redcurrant, or red currant (Ribes rubrum) is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family. It is native across western Europe. The species is widely cultivated and has escaped into the wild in many regions.
Ribes rubrum is a deciduous shrub normally growing to 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) tall, occasionally 2 m (7 ft), with five-lobed leaves arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are inconspicuous yellow-green, in pendulous 4–8 cm (2–3 in) racemes, maturing into bright red translucent edible berries about 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) diameter, with 3–10 berries on each raceme. An established bush can produce 3–4 kg (7–9 lb) of berries from mid to late summer.
There are several other similar species native in Europe, Asia and North America, also with edible fruit. These include Ribes spicatum (northern Europe and northern Asia), Ribes alpinum (northern Europe), R. schlechtendalii (northeast Europe), R. multiflorum (southeast Europe), R. petraeum (southwest Europe) and R. triste (North America; Newfoundland to Alaska and southward in mountains).
While Ribes rubrum and R. nigrum are native to northern and eastern Europe, large berried cultivars of the redcurrant were first produced in Belgium and northern France in the 17th century. In modern times, numerous cultivars have been selected; some of these have escaped gardens and can be found in the wild across Europe and extending into Asia.
The white currant is also a cultivar of Ribes rubrum. Although it is a sweeter and albino variant of the redcurrant, not a separate botanical species, it is sometimes marketed with names such as Ribes sativum or Ribes silvestre, or sold as a different fruit.
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Wikipedia