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Redcurrant is a tasty and healthy berry that can be seen in almost every garden. This berry has long been considered a berry of health, beauty and longevity. This is due to the fact that it contains many unique vitamins. Red currant berries are sour, but despite this, they are widely used in cooking and are an excellent remedy for many diseases. And who will refuse such a delicacy as redcurrant jam? It is unrealistically tasty and has a lot of useful properties.
Composition of red currant
It is known that blackcurrant is a storehouse of vitamin C. The red berry does not contain such a high content of this vitamin, but its composition is no less diverse.
The red berry contains almost all vitamins of group B, A, E, H, PP. It also contains beta-carotene and niacin. Currants are rich in nutrients: potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron and iodine. The nutritional value of the berry is fiber, acids (organic and fatty), simple carbohydrates. It also contains pectins, tannins, nitrogenous compounds, pigments, and coumarins. It is the latter component that is not inferior in concentration to pomegranate and figs. The calorie content of currants is approximately 43 kcal. At the same time, 100 grams of berries contain 0,6 g of proteins, 0,2 g of fats and 11 g of carbohydrates.
The benefits of red currant
The beneficial qualities of red currant are due to the presence of a huge amount of vitamins and provitamin A. They are necessary for good vision, good hair and skin condition, for bones, and also for the immune system as a whole. Red berry is a powerful antioxidant, the action of which is aimed at combating aging, and it is also responsible for the growth of new cells.
In other words, the daily use of red currants in food prolongs the life and youth of a person. Coumarin, which is part of the berry, has a positive effect on blood clotting.
Currant fruits are an excellent prevention of myocardial infarction, they have a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system. People suffering from atherosclerosis should include red currants in their daily diet. This is due to the fact that the pectins found in the berry are able to remove harmful cholesterol, which prevents the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques.
Overweight people who have a desire and need to lose weight can consume currants in unlimited quantities due to their low calorie content. In addition to pectins, a huge benefit comes from dietary fiber. Therefore, it is included in the menu of most diets. In cosmetology, the berry is also often used. Currant masks are especially popular, thanks to the properties of the red berry, they tighten the skin, give it radiance and a healthy look.
Wonderful desserts are obtained from red currant, it is widely used in conservation, compotes, jellies, jams, juices, juice jams are cooked from it. Dumplings are made with it, added to salads, sauces and even first courses.
Currant has a diaphoretic and antipyretic effect, has an analgesic effect and acts as an antitumor agent. Just a handful of berries can normalize the process of digestion and increase appetite. It is also indicated for constipation, allergies, menstrual disorders, colds, anemia, diabetes, chronic fatigue and loss of energy.
The treatment and prevention of colds is especially effective if the jam is made without heat treatment. These berries contain a huge set of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to use currants along with branches. To do this, a branch of berries is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted and cooled. Take this tincture of 100 grams three times a day.
The fruits of red currant have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal levels, relieve itching and redness of the skin, strengthen blood vessels, and speed up metabolism.
The leaves of the berry contain tannins, esters and vitamin C. Tea from fresh leaves has a very pleasant aroma and is certainly good for health. Also, fresh leaves can be supplemented with conservation.
The bones that are inside the red currant usually cause a lot of worries when preparing various desserts. But at the same time they are indispensable medicinal raw materials. They make a very useful currant oil. It is obtained by pressing. The oil has a yellow tint, a pleasant smell and a special composition.
It is also possible to dry currant fruits, since fresh berries are not easy to preserve. Dried berries tend to remove heavy metals and radionuclides from the body.
Traditional redcurrant jam can reduce fever and cure colds. Daily use of jam in winter is an ideal way to increase immunity and strengthen the body. It can be eaten as a separate dish, or in combination with desserts or pastries.
Harm and contraindications for use
Despite all the benefits of currants, it has a number of limitations. The berry is contraindicated in people with peptic ulcer, hepatitis, gastritis. This is due to the presence of acid.
But it is worth noting that with low acidity, currants are recommended, but in an amount that the doctor will determine. Since the red berry contributes to blood thinning, it should be avoided in case of bleeding disorders and hemophilia.
Pleasantly surprised by the fact that these fruits are absolutely safe for allergy sufferers. Redcurrant is not an allergen, it is prescribed even for various types of dermatitis. Of course, in order to preserve the maximum amount of useful properties, it is better to use fresh and intact currants. If this is not possible, for example, in winter, then a frozen berry will be an excellent alternative. To do this, it is well washed, dried, laid out in a container or bag and frozen. You can store such blanks in the freezer for about six months to a year.
Sweet jam should be used with caution for those who are worried about extra pounds. It is also not recommended for people with some form of diabetes.
The use of currants
In folk medicine, currants are used in various forms:
- with circulatory problems and atherosclerosis, use a tincture of dried berries and twigs;
- with bowel problems and nausea, use fresh currant juice;
- for colds, beriberi, anemia, tonsillitis and bronchitis, juice is used to gargle, or they drink it as an expectorant;
- for constipation, use fresh berries or an infusion of them;
- with cystitis and to increase immunity, decoctions of the leaves are used.
Redcurrant Jam Recipes
There are many interesting and delicious recipes for redcurrant jam. Especially housewives make preparations for the winter. It is worth noting that the best option for cooking currants is without cooking. It is without heat treatment that the maximum benefit will remain in the berries.
Currant jam – five minutes
Cooking such a jam takes about 40-45 minutes. How long to cook this jam? A delicious and simple recipe is called a five-minute conditionally. The berries must be washed well, get rid of the leaves and tails, and let drain in a colander. Next, you need to prepare sugar syrup. To do this, mix 1,5 kilograms of sugar and 250 milliliters of purified water. After the syrup boils, you need to add the berries there and wait for them to boil together and leave it on the fire for another 5 minutes. The resulting mixture should be gently stirred with a wooden spoon. After that, the jam again needs to be placed on the fire and cook for another 5-6 minutes. This manipulation should be done three times. The finished jam must be poured into prepared jars, rolled up or closed with nylon lids.
Red currant jam in a bread maker
To make jam, you need 500 grams of currants, 300 grams of sugar and 15 grams of pectin. If you follow the step-by-step instructions, the preparation of jam will seem very fast. The most important thing is to prepare the fruits. Berries should be carefully sorted out so that they are clean. Then they need to be washed and allowed to drain the liquid. Prepared currants should be placed in a saucepan and crushed in any convenient way. The resulting slurry must be rubbed through a sieve so that it is pitted. Next, the mixture must be squeezed well. The result will be about 200-300 grams of juice. It must be poured into a bread machine, add sugar and pectin there. Next, select the “Jam” mode, and start the device. In about an hour, the treat will be ready.
Red currant jelly
To do this, you need a glass of red currant, 2 glasses of water, a glass of granulated sugar and 15 grams of gelatin. Berries should be well cleaned of debris, pour water and bring to a boil. Boil the mixture for about 5-6 minutes, then rub through a sieve and squeeze. Add a third of a glass of water to the gelatin and let it swell. In the finished broth, you need to add a glass of sugar, bring to a boil and turn off, then add water with gelatin. It is necessary to mix the whole mass until the gelatin is completely dissolved. The finished jelly in hot form should be poured into jars and closed with lids. Redcurrant jam is an excellent dessert that is not only tasty, but also very healthy.