Currants

Guide Note

Currant refers to a variety of small fruits physically resembling grapes or berries.

Fast Facts

1. Varieties:
   • Black Currant
   • Redcurrant
   • Zante Currant
   • White Currant
2. Blackcurrants contain antioxidants and are rich in vitamin C
3. Often made into a jam

Currants are often mistaken for raisins because of their appearance and the similar uses of the two fruits in pastries and dishes. Currants are different than raisins in that they grow on bushes, while raisins grow on vines. Raisins are traditionally sweet while currants are noticeably tart. A major contributor to the confusion between the two fruits was the similar spelling and pronunciation of the city of Corinth, a major exporter of raisins in the 1920's.¹ Early cookbooks cemented the confusion by using the word "currant" instead of "raisins" in recipes and the name stuck throughout the years.