Is it possible to buy fresh blackcurrants anywhere?

[Djthhtk9494]

Just used up the last crop from my blackcurrant bush and have been reminded how much we love them.

There often isn’t unfortunately. Like gooseberries, I think there isn’t enough demand and the don’t travel well fresh.

What you do very likely have locally is someone who has several bushes and never really bothers to do anything with them. I’d put a post out on a local Facebook group and ask if you could come pick some in exchange for some gardening help or pay for them outright. I know I have a neighbour who has more than she knows what to do with!

I asked about frozen blackcurrants and was told that Ribena and other black currant cordial makers buy up the entire crop of commercially farmed blackcurrants, leaving only enough for the frozen fruit sellers to mix into bags of "summer fruits" alongside blackberries and redcurrants.

Last winter I planted a bare root blackcurrant bush, which is now just 3 leafy twigs. I'm hoping that next year I'll have a harvest and the year after that a surplus to freeze. I chose the variety Big Ben which is supposed to be a very heavy cropper and sweet enough to eat straight from the bush, we shall see.

They’re so delicious, but no I never see them fresh anywhere.
I do see them frozen sometimes though - not just in mixed bags but just blackcurrants. It varies where they are though - not always available. I’ve seen them in farm shops in freezer sections too. And searching online it seems that they can be ordered frozen.

My DH's parents used to grow them and sell them as a sideline. I do know it was very very hard work and now much of a return and so they gave up. I can still remember her fabulous black currant desserts though!

Waitrose
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/cooks-ingredients-blackcurrants/088039-730554-45018

Have you got a local pick your own farm? We have one that does blackcurrants along with gooseberries and other fruit / veg.

It's east of England. Might be worth having a Google for any close to you

Waitrose. I've just been stewing fresh gooseberries from them. Haven't seen blackcurrants there this year yet.

It's difficult to get frozen blackcurrants on their own rather than part of a forest fruits or very berry mix or similar. You can get tinned blackcurrants, though.

I got a bit obsessed by wanting blackcurrants a few years ago. I do have blackcurrants growing in the garden. I think my biggest crop has been... 8 berries.

My blackcurrant bush is Big Ben and we got masses of fruit this year. - 2 huge bowl fulls from one small bush in its second year!

I have a few gooseberries on my new gooseberry bush( the other fruit I love and struggle to get).

Plant more! I have 3 bushes and will likely expand. We have 2.2kg in the freezer so far from this year with lots left on the bushes.

Home made cordial never lasts long!

We have bought from here for several years.

We have them on our porridge every morning.

They deliver on a pre-noon delivery in cardboard boxes.

www.windmillhillfruits.co.uk/

Our local greengrocer stall has them in season

Our local farm shop does blackcurrants , redcurrants , green and red gooseberries alongside the normal strawberries, raspberries, cherries , so may be worth checking out local farm shops