Currants are useful not only in raw form, but also in jams, jam, and just ground and frozen with sugar. One of the quick and tasty dishes prepared from this berry is jelly jam, which can be prepared in just 5 minutes. How exactly - tell on.
The benefits of black currant
Currant berries - a storehouse of vitamin C, only 30 fruits or tea from the dried leaves of the bush will satisfy the daily rate of this element in the human body.
In addition, the currant has the following advantages:
- helps fight ARVI, flu, while improving immunity;
- has antioxidant properties, which is beneficial for the stomach - anthocyanidins in the composition contribute to this;
- has a diuretic, sedative, tonic action, also helps to bring down the temperature, cleanse and disinfect the body;
- helps to improve the work of the digestive tract;
- cleans the blood and increases its clotting;
- helps to overcome heartburn;
- strengthens the cardiovascular system.
Important! Currant leaves and berries when used regularly help prevent diabetes.
We recommend you to get acquainted with the recipes for making mandarin, blackthorn, lingonberry, hawthorn, gooseberry, pumpkin, pear, white cherry, quince, Manchurian nut, boneless cherry, wild strawberry and red currant jam.
Currant Preparation
You can pick the berries yourself or buy them on the market. They must be dry, large and free from defects. Over-grown fruits will not work, since they will spoil the taste of the delicacy.
Before cooking, sort the berries, select leaves and twigs and cut off the dry tips. Rinse under cold water and leave to dry. It is better to spread the berries evenly on a clean cloth - they dry out faster and will not flow.
Preparation of cans and lids
In order for the jam to be preserved throughout the winter and not spoiled, it is necessary to sterilize the jars in which it will be stored. Banks must be even, without gouges, cracks, cracks and chinks - otherwise the lids may swell. Before processing you need to wash the containers with soda. 
Sterilize the banks can be in the microwave or steamed. The first option is the fastest - it is enough to pour some water (up to 3 cm) to the bottom of the tank and heat it to at least 800 watts to boil it.
Important! When processing the berries do not lose their beneficial properties, so you can eat currants all year round in different cooking variations.
If you are afraid that the banks will burst and spoil the equipment, use the old method - we put a strainer on the saucepan with boiling water, on which we place the cans with the neck down. At the same time, we boil water in a saucepan - banks are considered to be sterilized when condensation appears inside.
You can also hold the jars for 15 minutes in the oven at +180 ° C. Covers should be, if not new, then without visible defects - dents or rust. They also need to be processed - first wash with soda, and then boil for at least 2 minutes.
Learn more about the beneficial and harmful properties of currants and currant leaves.
Kitchenware
For making jam, we need such dishes:
- a glass or cup;
- wooden spoon;
- ladle;
- enamel bowl, stew-pan or thick-bottomed saucepan;
- jars with lids.
Check out the best varieties of black currant.
Ingredients
For jam need:
- black currant berries - 1 kg;
- water - 1.5 cups;
- sugar - 1.5 kg;
- citric acid - at the tip of the knife.
We advise you to familiarize yourself with the recipe for cooking black currant wine.
Step by Step Cooking Process
How to cook:
- Pour the harvested water into the tank, where we will make jam.
- Add sugar and stir well.
- On low heat bring our mass to a boil.
- When the sugar is completely dissolved in water, add the prepared berries.
- Stir and boil the jam 5 minutes after boiling.
- Add citric acid, stir.
Did you know? Black currant bushes are honey. Such honey is a rare product, but very useful.
- Pour the jam on sterilized jars.
- Banks tightly roll covers.
Did you know? Currant is called the monastic berry - previously it was grown only on the territory of the monasteries, as mentioned in the chronicles of the XI century.
- Turn over the container and cover with a towel to cool.
Where to store jam
A few rules for storing jam:
- plastic covers can be used if you plan to spend the product for several months;
- from the thickness of the delicacy depends on the shelf life and the quality of the jam - the thicker, the greater the likelihood that it will not deteriorate;
- citric acid should be added so that the lids are not swollen during storage;
- it is better to use 500 ml jars for storage, then the open product will not stand in the refrigerator for a long time.
It will be useful for you to read about how to plant currants in the fall, as well as how to cut it properly.It is better to store currant jam in a dark, dry place at a temperature not higher than + 20 ° С. If possible, put the product in the refrigerator, especially those cans that have already been opened. If you follow all the rules of cooking, then you can keep a treat for up to 2 years.
What to bring to the table
Any jam or currant with sugar is well suited for pancakes, casseroles, cheesecakes, manna, fresh curd. Jam can be added to cereals for sweets, it makes a delicious grated cake and other pastries. You can pour a few tablespoons of the product with boiling water and drink for colds and flu.
And the easiest way to use it is to spread bread and butter on it. Preparing currant jam will take quite a bit of time, and a ready delicacy will delight you all winter. This useful and sweet product is suitable for a snack for tea, and for treatment.
