Currant: The Northern European Garden Berry
Red, black, and white currants are northern European staples. The story of these tart berries, including the famous English ban.
Currants (Ribes species โ red, white, and black) are tart small berries from northern Europe. Black currants (Ribes nigrum) are particularly prized for cassis liqueur and jam; red and white currants are more mild and used in fresh eating and preserves.
Origin and history
Red and black currants are native to northern and central Europe and northern Asia. Cultivation in northern European gardens dates to the medieval period. The British 20th-century ban on Ribes species (because of white pine blister rust) crushed the U.S. currant industry โ only recently has commercial production resumed in the U.S.
Where currants grow today
Russia, Poland, Germany, Ukraine, and the UK are major commercial producers.
How to grow currants
USDA Zones 3-7. Cool summers preferred. Low bush 1-1.5m. Self-fertile. Easy to grow but very attractive to birds.
Bottom line
Cold-climate gardeners โ currants give you intense-flavored fruit that simply does not exist in supermarkets. Plant Ben Sarek (black) and Red Lake (red).
More Berries
Strawberry Origin: The 1750s French Hybrid That Changed the World
The modern strawberry (270 years old) is a French hybrid of a Virginia and a Chilean berry. Full origin story, parent species, and complete growing guide.
Blueberry: From North American Wilderness to Global Superfood
The blueberry was not commercially cultivated until 1916. The story of how one New Jersey botanist tamed the wild blueberry, and how to grow your own.
Raspberry: From Ancient Greek Mountains to Modern Garden
Raspberries have been gathered in Europe and Asia for over 2,000 years. The story of red, black, and golden raspberries, and how to grow all three.
Blackberry: The Brambly Survivor โ Origin, History, and How to Grow
Blackberries are aggressive enough to be classified as a weed in some places. The story of this tenacious fruit, and how to tame it for the garden.
Cranberry: The Bog Berry of New England
Cranberries are one of three North American native commercial fruits. The story of the bog harvest, Thanksgiving sauce, and how to actually grow them.
Gooseberry: The Forgotten European Berry
Gooseberries were a Victorian English obsession with hundreds of named varieties. The story of this tart underrated berry and how to grow it.