Currant, Titania Black

Currants come in a few colors: black, champagne/white and red. 

Currants are popular and Europe, and their historical cultivation is traced back to Dutch origin. Publications date back to the early 1800s. There is also a variety native to the United States, so most cultivated species perform well here.

When eaten fresh, they are mildly tart and flavorful, like a sour sugar candy.  The fruits last well in the fridge. When placed in the freezer for a little while they are easily destemmed for making into preserves. 

A highly productive, mildew and white pine blister rust-resistant cultivar. It grows quickly to 6' tall and produces bountiful clusters of large black currants.

Black currants have outstanding health benefits, including high Vitamin C content, up to 5 times that of oranges by weight. They have twice the potassium of bananas and twice the antioxidants of blueberries. The antioxidants, essential fatty acids and potassium in black currants have anti- inflammatory impact, reducing the effects of arthritis. Its antioxidant action has been shown to help prevent cancer. The strong flavor of Black Currants is highly prized in Europe, even fresh, but most Americans prefer them made into jam, syrup or dried as raisins. Partially self fertile plants produce best with another variety for cross-pollinization. Bushes will grow to 4-5’ tall. 

Partially self fertile, get two different plants for higher production.

Common name: 'Titania' Black Currant

Scientific Name: 
Family: Grossulariaceae
Genus: Ribes
Species: nigrum 'Titania'

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7
Height: 3 to 6 ft
Width: 3 to 5 ft

Description:

'Titania' is a large, firm, and more mildly flavored currant, with its black berries usually all ripening simultaneously. They like well-drained soil with higher organic content and will do well in sun to part shade, but are less specific to soil type than other currant varieties. They are very hardy, but choosing a place with less exposure to harsh winters will be beneficial. It is a good all-around cultivar.

All plants in the Ribes genus are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust, but 'Titania' is more resistant to WPBR than other Ribes species and varieties.

[description from East Hill Tree Farm and trees.umn.edu]

Evolution of Cultivated Currants, Chatham Apples NY

There's an intriguing reason why 99.9% of Americans have never tasted blackcurrant but Europeans love it (White Pine Blister Rust), Insider

Ribes Regulations in New England, UMass Extension