Dried Currants

What are dried currants? In the United States, black currants (Ribes nigrum) have a rich and varied history. These purple-black berries have been a favorite food in Europe for ages, but they were forbidden in the United States until very recently. They've recently staged a revival. Northern Europe and northern Asia, where temperatures are typically milder, are the natural habitats of black currants. We know they were in use via the written word back in the 1500s. They were originally common in the United States, but the introduction of a fungus that destroyed white pine trees led to their prohibition in the early 20th century. Many states maintained their bans on selling the fruit for quite some time, and to this day, it is still a rarity in the United States. Some people claim you have to develop a taste for black currants because of their intense flavor. They are often sour, but when mature, they have a sweet taste. They are packed with healthy nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and