Ribes rubrum

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Ordo: Saxifragales

Familia: Grossulariaceae
Genus: Ribes
Subgenus: Ribes subg. Ribes
Sectio: Ribes sect. Ribes
Species: Ribes rubrum
Name

Ribes rubrum L., 1753
Homonyms

Ribes rubrum Torr. & A.Gray = Ribes triste Pall.

Synonyms

Grossularia rubra (L.) Scop., Fl. Carniol., ed. 2. 1: 167 (1771)
Ribes acerifolium Hort. ex C.Koch, Dendrol. 1: 649 (1869)
Ribes acidum Turcz. ex Steud., Nom. ed. II. 2: 457 (1841)
Ribes albescens Poit. & Turpin, Poit. Pomol. Franc. 3: t. 175-177 (1874)
Ribes albicans Poit. & Turpin, Poit. Pomol. Franc. 3: t. 167-168 (1874)
Ribes albo-virens Poit. & Turpin, Poit. Pomol. Franc. 3: t. 167-168 (1874)
Ribes americanum Hort. ex C.Koch, Dendrol. 1: 649 (1869)
Ribes auriculatum Poit. & Turpin, Poit. Pomol. Franc. 3: 1170-171 (1874)
Ribes baicalense Turcz. ex Steud., Nom. ed. II. 2: 457 (1841)
Ribes carneum Poit. & Turpin, Poit. Pomol. Franc. 3: t. 222 (1874)
Ribes fleischmanni Rchb. ex C.Koch, Dendrol. 1: 657 (1869)
Ribes himalense Decne., Jacquem. Voy. Bot. 66. t. 67 (1841)
Ribes hispidulum Pojark., Bull. Applied Bot., Leningrad, 22: No. 3, 339 (1929)
Ribes hladnickianum Freyer ex Steud., Nom. ed. II. 2: 457 (1841)
Ribes hortense Lam. ex Steud., Nomencl. Bot. (Steud.) 691 (1821)
Ribes officinarum Dum.Cours., Bot. Cult., ed. 2. 5: 303 (1811)
Ribes glabrum (Hedl.) Sennikov, Fl. Vostochnoi Evropy 10: 238 (2001)
Ribes rubrum subsp. glabrum Hedl.
Ribes pendulum Salisb., Prod. Stirp. Chap. Allerton 355 (1796)
Ribes petraeum Sm., Engl. Bot. t. 705
Ribes racemosum Poit. & Turpin, Poit. Pomol. Franc. 3: t. 221 (1874)
Ribes rubrum var. hispidulum Jancz
Ribes rubrum var. palczewskii Jancz.
Ribes rubrum var. scandicum (Hedl.) Jancz., Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 3: 289 (1907)
Ribes rubrum var. smithianum Syme
Ribes rubrum var. sylvestre DC. ex Berland., Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve 2: 59 (1826)
Ribes sativum Syme, Eng. Bot. ed. III. 4: 42
Ribes scandicum Hedley, Bot. Not. 1901: 100 (1901)
Ribes sibiricum Hort. ex C.Koch, Dendrol. 1: 649 (1869)
Ribes sylvestre Syme, Engl. Bot. (ed. 3b) 4: 43, t. 522 (1865)
Ribes vinosum Dum.Cours., Bot. Cult. 3: 226 (1802)
Ribes vulgare Lam., Encycl. (Lam.) 3(1): 47 (1789), nom. illeg.
Ribes vulgare var. sylvestre Lam., Encycl. 3: 47 (1789)
Ribesium rubrum (L.) Medik., Philos. Bot. (Medikus) 1: 120 (1789)

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Europe
Regional: Western Europe
Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Spain
Introduced into:
Austria, Baltic States, British Columbia, Central European Rus, Colorado, Connecticut, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Krym, Labrador, Maine, Manchuria, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Myanmar, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Norway, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tennessee, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yugoslavia

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Linnaeus, C. 1753. Species Plantarum. Tomus I: 200. Reference page.

Additional references

Abdulina, S.A. (1999). Spisok Sosudistykn Rastenii Kazakhstana: 1-187. Academy of Sciences, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Ackerfield, J. (2015). Flora of Colorado: 1-818. BRIT Press.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2021. Ribes rubrum in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Sep 28. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. Sep. Ribes rubrum. Published online. Accessed: 28 Sep.
Tropicos.org 2021. Ribes rubrum. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 28 Sep 2021.
Hassler, M. 2021. Ribes rubrum. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2021. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Sep 28. Reference page.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Ribes rubrum in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.

Vernacular names
беларуская: Парэчкі чырвоныя
čeština: meruzalka zahradní, rybíz červený
English: Redcurrant
eesti: Punane sõstar
suomi: Lännenpunaherukka, punaherukka
français: Groseiller (rouge)
Gàidhlig: dearcan-dearg
Nederlands: Aalbes
vèneto: ùa spinèla

The redcurrant or red currant (Ribes rubrum) is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family. It is native across Europe.[2][3] The species is widely cultivated and has escaped into the wild in many regions.[4][5]

Ribes rubrum is a deciduous shrub normally growing to 1–1.5 metres (3–5 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 (1+1⁄2–3+1⁄4 in) racemes, maturing into bright red translucent edible berries about 8–12 mm (3⁄8–1⁄2 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.[5]

Cultivation
Redcurrant berries

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.[6]

The white currant is also a cultivar of Ribes rubrum.[7] 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.
Close-up of blossom

Currant bushes prefer partial to full sunlight and can grow in most types of soil.[7] They are relatively low-maintenance plants and can also be used as ornamentation.
Cultivars

Many redcurrant and whitecurrant cultivars are available for domestic cultivation from specialist growers. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit:-[8]

"Jonkheer van Tets"[9]
"Red Lake"[10]
"Stanza"[11]
"White Grape"[12] (whitecurrant)

Culinary uses
A fruiting redcurrant bush near an abandoned house in a semi-deserted village in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia at 59 degrees northern latitude

With maturity, the tart flavour of redcurrant fruit is slightly greater than its blackcurrant relative, but with the same approximate sweetness. The white-fruited variant of redcurrant, often referred to as white currant, has the same tart flavour but with greater sweetness. Although frequently cultivated for jams and cooked preparations, much like the white currant, it is often served raw or as a simple accompaniment in salads, garnishes, or drinks when in season.
Redcurrant cuttings

In the United Kingdom, redcurrant jelly is a condiment often served with lamb, game meat including venison, turkey and goose in a festive or Sunday roast. It is essentially a jam and is made in the same way, by adding the redcurrants to sugar, boiling, and straining.[13]

In France, the highly rarefied and hand-made Bar-le-duc or "Lorraine jelly" is a spreadable preparation traditionally made from white currants or alternatively redcurrants.[14] The pips are taken off by hand, originally by monks, with a goose feather, before cooking.[15]

In Scandinavia and Schleswig-Holstein, it is often used in fruit soups and summer puddings (rødgrød, rote grütze or rode grütt).[14] In Germany it is also used in combination with custard or meringue as a filling for tarts.

In Linz, Austria, it is the most commonly used filling for the Linzer torte.[14][16] It can be enjoyed in its fresh state without the addition of sugar.

In German-speaking areas, syrup or nectar derived from the redcurrant is added to soda water and enjoyed as a refreshing drink named Johannisbeerschorle.[14] It is so named because the redcurrants (Johannisbeeren, "John's berry" in German) are said to ripen first on St. John's Day, also known as Midsummer Day, June 24.

In Russia, redcurrants are ubiquitous and used in jams, preserves, compotes and desserts. It is also used to make kissel, a sweet healthy drink made from fresh berries or fruits (such as red currants, cherries, cranberries).[17] The leaves have many uses in traditional medicine, such as making an infusion with black tea.[18] Also the plants were cultivated in Russian monastery gardens in the 11th century.[19]
Nutrition and phytochemicals

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	234 kJ (56 kcal)
Carbohydrates	13.8 g
Sugars	7.37 g
Dietary fiber	4.3 g
Fat	0.2 g
Protein	1.4 g
Vitamins	Quantity %DV†
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	Quantity %DV†
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
Link to USDA Database entry
Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA FoodData Central

In a 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) reference serving, redcurrants (or white) supply 234 kilojoules (56 kilocalories) of food energy and are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 49% of the Daily Value (DV, table). Vitamin K is the only other essential nutrient in significant content at 10% of DV (table).
Phytochemicals

Redcurrant fruits are known for their tart flavor, a characteristic provided by a relatively high content of organic acids and mixed polyphenols.[20] As many as 65 different phenolic compounds may contribute to the astringent properties of redcurrants, with these contents increasing during the last month of ripening.[21] Twenty-five individual polyphenols and other nitrogen-containing phytochemicals in redcurrant juice have been isolated specifically with the astringent flavor profile sensed in the human tongue.[22]
See also

Jostaberry
Blackcurrant

References

"Ribes rubrum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – via The Plant List.
Brennan, Rex M. (1996). "Currants and Gooseberries". In Jules Janick; James N. Moore (eds.). Fruit Breeding. Vol. II - Vine and Small Fruits. John Wiley & Sons. p. 196. ISBN 0471126756.
"Ribes rubrum L." Altervista Flora Italiana; includes photos and European distribution map.
Morin, Nancy R. (2009). "Ribes rubrum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 8. New York and Oxford – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Lu, Lingdi; Alexander, Crinan. "Ribes rubrum". Flora of China – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Verlag, Orbis "Orbis Naturführer", 2000,
"REDCURRANT (Ribes rubrum) and Whitecurrant & Pinkcurrant". Grow Your Own. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
"AGM Plants - Crops" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
"RHS Plantfinder - Ribes rubrum 'Jonkheer van Tets'". Retrieved 9 October 2018.
"RHS Plantfinder - Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake'". Retrieved 9 October 2018.
"RHS Plantfinder - Ribes rubrum 'Stanza'". Retrieved 9 October 2018.
"RHS Plantfinder - Ribes rubrum 'White Grape'". Retrieved 9 October 2018.
"Homemade Redcurrant Jelly recipe". www.cookitsimply.com.
T. K. Lim Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 4, Fruits , p. 44, at Google Books
Heather Arndt Anderson Berries: A Global History (2018), p. 86, at Google Books
Haywood, A and Walker, K "Upper Austria - Linz", Lonely Planet - Austria p. 207
"Kisel – Russian sweet drink". milkandbun. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
Thomas Andrew A cyclopedia of domestic medicine and surgery (1842), p. 135, at Google Books
O’Keefe, Liz (21 July 2016). "Currants: black, then red now it's white all over". www.producebusinessuk.com. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
Mikulic-Petkovsek, M.; Schmitzer, V.; Slatnar, A.; Stampar, F.; Veberic, R. (2012). "Composition of sugars, organic acids, and total phenolics in 25 wild or cultivated berry species". J Food Sci. 77 (10): 1064–70. doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02896.x. PMID 22924969.
Mikulic-Petkovsek, M.; et al. (2015). "Changes in fruit quality parameters of four Ribes species during ripening". Food Chem. 173: 363–74. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.10.011. PMID 25466034.
Schwarz, B.; Hofmann, T. (2007). "Sensory-guided decomposition of red currant juice (Ribes rubrum) and structure determination of key astringent compounds". J Agric Food Chem. 55 (4): 1394–1404. doi:10.1021/jf0629078. PMID 17261016.