How to freeze blackcurrant

Freezing currants in the freezer is an excellent harvesting option for the winter period, when the body needs large portions of vitamins. At any time there is an opportunity to prepare jam, compote, juice or jam. You can also enjoy fresh black fruits that retain more nutrients without heat treatment, use them as a decoration in confectionery. There are proven ways to choose the one that suits you best, or use several to enjoy the scent of summer on cold evenings.

The benefits of frozen blackcurrant

It is the black currant variety that is considered the leader in vitamins, microelements and other useful substances for the human body. Good housewives try to freeze it for future use.

Here are the main beneficial properties of blackcurrant:

1. The popularity of currants was brought by vitamin C, which helps to strengthen and restore immunity in winter. During this period, a person is more susceptible to colds and infectious diseases. The daily need for ascorbic acid can satisfy only 20 berries.
2. The use of currants will enhance the effect of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor during treatment. This is especially true for the group of penicillins.
3. Freezing the product is necessary to make freshly squeezed juice in winter. It is often used topically as a gargle for sore throats or mouthwash for stomatitis. It is also used as an antiseptic to disinfect wounds and cuts. Accelerates recovery in diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It is necessary to use a teaspoon inside up to 4 times a day.
4. Tea with fresh blackcurrant calms the nervous system, relieves stress and anxiety.
5. High rates in the fight against jumps in blood pressure, problems in the work of the heart.
6. A mild diuretic effect will be beneficial in diseases of the kidneys and bladder. Helps in the fight against swelling.
7. People suffering from heartburn should freeze currants, because they help to extinguish the increased acidity in the stomach.
8. The black variety helps to remove toxins, bacteria and toxins from the body, fights intestinal disorders.
9. Folic acid is simply necessary for pregnant women, and there is quite a lot of it in this berry.
10. Fresh and frozen blackcurrant juice is used in cosmetology for face whitening, in the fight against pigmentation and acne, as well as age-related changes. Substances from this berry strengthen nails. Used diluted as a hair rinse for softness and shine.

Maturation occurs once a year and the collection period is short. It is better to think over everything in advance and make preparations during the season so as not to buy low-quality goods in the store.

Preparing blackcurrants for freezing

People collect currants not only in household plots, but also in forests. It should be remembered that berries from ecologically disadvantaged areas cannot be used.

It is better to freeze for the winter ripe black currants in the refrigerator, which are harvested in dry weather in the morning, when the berries did not have time to warm up under the sun. More often, housewives prefer for this method to choose shrubs with large fruits.

Necessary actions during preparation:

1. First sort through the crop, discarding damaged berries.
2. Free from leaves and debris.
3. Sort overripe and unripe blackcurrants to choose the best freezing method.
4. Be sure to rinse with plenty of water and dry, scattering on a clean piece of cloth.

Now you can start freezing.

How to freeze blackcurrant for the winter in the freezer

4 harvesting methods are presented. It all depends on the preferences of the family and the quality of the product to be used. It is worth exploring each to choose the best option and enjoy the taste of summer in winter.

Dry freezing of whole berries

Freezing whole black currants is easy. If everything is done correctly, then the result will be crumbly fruits, and not an ice lump.

It is necessary to prepare immediately:

• colander;
• napkins or kitchen towel;
• sheet that fits in the freezer;
• parchment;
• special bags (simple bags can be used) or plastic containers with a lid;
• whole black currant.

You can freeze by doing the following:

1. Rinse the sorted berry thoroughly so that clear water drains.
2. Leave in a colander to get rid of excess liquid, scatter on napkins. The party must dry completely.
3. Transfer to a sheet lined with parchment paper and pre-cool on the top shelf of the refrigerator, and then transfer to the freezer.
4. After about 4 hours, sprinkle into bags, tie tightly.

It remains only to immediately put the prepared fruits in the freezer for storage.

Blackcurrant with sugar for the winter in the freezer

This option is perfect if the hostess wants to feed the family with a delicious treat in the future, prepare compote, jelly or jam, and also use the berry as a filling or decoration for desserts. You can freeze ripe currants with sugar for the whole winter using this recipe.

You will need:

• container;
• black currant;
• sugar.

Freezing algorithm:

1. Sort the berries and rinse under the tap in a colander.
2. Wait until the liquid drains, dry on a towel. It is better if the moisture completely evaporates, but in this version, the sugar will also take a certain amount and the currants will remain crumbly.
3. Lay in rows in a clean container (in this case, it is better to use it), alternating fruits with sweet crystals.

You can cork with a lid or cling film. Put in the freezer.

Freezing berries on twigs

Picking from branches often results in damage to the shell, resulting in loss of quality. If blackcurrants are frozen for medicinal purposes, it is better to use this method in order to preserve more vitamins.

Required Tools:

• colander;
• fabric cut;
• board lined with paper.

Freezing technique:

1. Pick off unripe, overripe and damaged black currants from the branches.
2. Transfer to a colander, rinse and dry on a cloth for at least 2 hours.
3. Carefully spread out on the board, put first for a couple of hours on the top shelf, and then move to the freezer of the refrigerator.
4. After 4 hours, pack in bags or containers.

Store in tightly closed bags so as not to lose nutrients.

Berry puree

Sometimes there are a lot of black overripe fruits, or they just make a blank for fruit drink, jelly or compote. Then an excellent storage option would be the method of grinding and freezing with convenient cubes that you can use at any time.

The proportions of the products will be as follows:

• currants – 1 kg;
• sugar – 400

Step-by-step recipe:

1. Prepare blackcurrants, pre-sort from rotten, green berries. Rinse and dry if necessary.
2. For long-term storage, it is not recommended to use iron grinding devices. It is better to knead with a wooden pusher or pestle.
3. Mix with sugar and leave for 2 hours to dissolve.
4. For convenience, it is better to spread out in a container for freezing ice or in small plastic dishes. For example, you can use disposable cups.
5. Place in refrigerator until completely frozen.
6. Pull out and arrange the cubes in bags.

Freeze blackcurrant for the winter in grated form, putting it in the freezer.

How to defrost berries

It is important to consider here what blackcurrant frozen in different ways will be used for.

If you want to cook jelly or compote, then there is no need for softened fruits. You can send the product to the pan immediately from the freezer.

When you want to get whole berries, then the currants are first transferred to the top shelf of the refrigerator overnight. Next, you should wait until it is completely defrosted at room temperature. In extreme cases, you can lower it into cold water.

Terms and conditions of storage

The shelf life of a frozen product is strongly influenced by the temperature regime and the method of harvesting. So, at -10 degrees, blackcurrants in the freezer will lie for only 4 months. In shock mode up to -20 degrees, the terms increase up to a year. It should be borne in mind that the loss of vitamin composition will begin after 8 months. It is better to mark the packaging with the date of manufacture.

Do not store freezer bags under heavy foods, as the fragile berry will crumble.

Currants after thawing cannot be re-frozen, because both quality and useful composition are lost.

Conclusion

Freezing currants in the freezer is easy if all of the above conditions are met. Some may like this way of harvesting when there is a large freezer. No need to store jars in the basement, but it will be possible to strengthen the body all year round. The same methods are suitable for red currant varieties.