A nutritional powerhouse, black currants were once known as the forbidden fruit here in the U.S. Farmers mistakenly believed they spread a fungus that killed pine trees. Due to the ban, the tart berries are not nearly as popular in the U.S. as they are in native Europe.
Black currants have long been a staple of herbal medicine, and today we know why. Black currants carry twice the amount of vitamin C as oranges and double the amount of antioxidants as blueberries. In addition, they have high concentrations of anthocyanins, polyphonic substances and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). You’ll likely find a wide array of products in your local health food store with black currant based supplements focused on immune system, gut health and blood flow.
Fun fact:
Black currants are so healthy that during food shortages of WWII, the British Government encouraged their people to eat more of the native black currants. Farming increased and a black currant cordial known as Ribena was born and became a national icon.
