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Wine made from currant leaves is no less tasty than a drink made from berries. In the 60s of the last century, for the first time, gardener Yarushenkov compiled a recipe for homemade wine using green leaves of fruit bushes and trees. The famous wine grower K. B. Wunsch continued his work and improved the drink. He added alcohol to it, which fixed the wine and stopped fermentation. Since then, the technology has become widespread. Now currant leaves are not thrown away, but used in the same way as berries.
The benefits and harms of wine from currant leaves
The benefits of homemade wine from currant leaves are due to the rich vitamin composition of various parts of the shrub.
The leaves contain:
- vitamin C – the strongest antioxidant of its kind, which slows down the aging process and increases the body’s resistance to many diseases;
- carotene – responsible for the health of the skin and eyes;
- phytoncides – help the body weakened after an illness to restore strength;
- essential oils – contribute to the preservation of youthful skin and strengthen hair.
Based on this composition, you can determine the useful properties:
- The drink has an antiviral effect on the body. Contributes to the treatment of spring and autumn colds.
- The product helps to recover from long-term illnesses and tones the body.
- Regular moderate wine consumption contributes to the treatment of chronic fatigue and insomnia.
- The drink normalizes the activity of the heart and blood vessels, supports brain activity.
- Homemade wine from currant leaves helps in the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system.
- In small doses, the drink is the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
There are no special contraindications, but it is not recommended to take the product in large quantities for people with stomach ulcers, gastritis and thrombophlebitis. Caution should be exercised in the use of the drink by pregnant women.
Wine from currant leaves can cause serious harm to the body only in case of individual intolerance to the components that make up its composition.
Currant leaf wine ingredients
To make homemade wine from currant leaves, you will need the following ingredients:
- currant leaves – 80 g;
- water – 7 l;
- sugar – 1,8 kg;
- ammonia – 3 g;
- raisins – a small handful.
Currant leaf wine recipe step by step
The cooking algorithm is as follows:
- 7 liters of water are brought to a boil, after which currant leaves are laid. You can dilute them with a small amount of grape or cherry.
- The leaves are pushed with a rolling pin or other blunt object so that they move from the surface of the water to the bottom.
- After 3-5 minutes, the pan is removed from the stove, covered with a lid and wrapped tightly in a blanket or blanket. In this form, leave for 3-4 days.
- Then the resulting wort is poured into another container of the same volume. To start the fermentation process, a small handful of raisins are added to the liquid. Properly brewed wort is brownish in color at this point. Its smell should have a slight sourness.
- Next, 3 g of ammonia is poured into the wort.
- After 2 days, active fermentation will begin, which will continue for another 1-2 weeks. At this time, it is important to ensure a sufficient level of sugar in the liquid – there should be 250 g of sugar per liter of wine.
- The end of active fermentation is determined by the absence of a foamy cap on the wine. Then it is poured into jars with a volume of 3 liters and closed with lids with one petal.
- After that, the wort is regularly checked for sugar. Quiet fermentation can last quite a long time – the completion of the process is determined by the dense sediment at the bottom of the jar. The wine itself becomes transparent. In fact, homemade wine is already ready, but you should not use it right away – the smell of such a product is very sharp.
- The resulting wine is poured into plastic bottles, and along with the sediment. The containers are tightly closed and the amount of carbon dioxide in them is checked every day. It is important not to miss the moment when a sufficient amount of gas accumulates – for this, they try to twist the lid slightly. If it opens tightly, then you need to carefully release the accumulated gas.
- The last stage in the preparation of wine is the draining of the product. The wine is drained 2-3 times. The first time the drink becomes clear. The procedure is carried out using a thin tube. For a fortress at this point, you can add sugar – 1-2 tbsp. l. The second and third drains are carried out after the wine has brightened again. You don’t need to add sugar.
On this, the preparation of wine at home can be considered complete. The finished product is bottled and put away for storage.
Terms and conditions of storage
Homemade wine from currant leaves is stored for an average of 1 year, if vodka was not added to it according to the recipe. Wine with the addition of vodka does not lose its properties for three years.
It is recommended to store the product in a dark, cool place. For these purposes, a refrigerator, basement or cellar is suitable. Other foodstuffs should be as far away as possible so that the wine does not absorb the smell of various pickles and preparations. Even hermetically sealed lids will not protect against this.
Conclusion
Wine from currant leaves is very easy to prepare. It is a tasty and healthy drink that, when consumed in moderation, reduces the risk of developing many diseases.
You can learn more about the features of making homemade wine from currant leaves from the video:
