the blackcurrant
British Blackcurrants have been used in jams, juices, yoghurts, pies, wines and ice cream for many years - we are now promoting their distinctive, juicy flavour and its numerous health benefits. This is backed up by many scientific studies over the last 50 years; with emerging research further highlighting the benefits of this small black berry.
Blackcurrants have grown in the British Isles for over five hundred years and been used by herbalists since the middle ages to treat bladder stones, liver disorders, and blended into syrups for coughs and lung ailments amongst other illnesses.
Varieties grown and bred in the British Isles are particularly rich and dark in colour, so possessing a high content of anthocyanins, which in turn promote antioxidant activity. Blackcurrants also contain more Vitamin C than any other natural food source as well as containing high concentrations of the beneficial nutrients of Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Vitamins A and B amongst others.
Emerging and existing research is now proving that blackcurrants can help in a number of common and important health areas, including:
Cardiovascular | Ageing and Brain Function | Urinary Tract Health | Vision
Environmental Management
British blackcurrant growing on a field scale is a long established method of fruit production that relies on traditional field patterns with smaller enclosures than many other farm crops and demands careful husbandry of both the crop and its environment. The requirement to establish and retain the crop in a particular area for up to 15 years gives opportunities for environmentally friendly activities both within the crop and in the surrounding hedges and field margins. The hedge is an asset to the blackcurrant grower providing shelter and protection for the crop. The hedge is also one of the most vital environmental features in the farmed landscape and provides food, shelter and breeding sites for our wildlife. The retention of hedgerows helps the countryside to thrive and contributes to the beauty and managed appearance of the landscape.
British blackcurrant growers are grasping the new opportunities to help wildlife as well as any sector of UK agriculture; their management practices contribute to this. As with most production, intensification has taken place but this has not changed the basic techniques of fruit production and the less friendly use of plastic and artificial shelters has not been introduced. With the longevity of the crop there is the major advantage of continuity for wildlife - in addition, most major British blackcurrant growers are operating an individual FARM PLAN scheme which takes standards of environmental and wildlife care to new levels.
The blackcurrant crop is an established and important sector of UK agriculture that will continue to plays its part in UK food production and the well being of the countryside.
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