Wrinkles

Why are black currants illegal in the US?

The federal government had banned the growing of black and red currants in 1911 when the burgeoning logging industry put pressure on lawmakers to eliminate the currants because they were thought to be an intermediate host of white pine blister rust.26-Jul-2006

Is black currant still illegal in the US?

The commercial growth of blackcurrants is no longer banned at the federal level, although several states do still have regulations in place to restrict the blackcurrants' growth.

Why is growing currants illegal in the US?

Why is it illegal to grow currants in the US? … They were banned by the US Department of Agriculture because they carried the white pine blister rust disease. This fungus threatened to wipe out the pines in the US, so all Ribes were banned to protect the logging industry at the time.

Are blueberries and blackcurrants the same?

Both blueberries and black currants are small, dark-colored berries that grow in dense clusters on the branches of their bushes. The similarities end there, however — the two types of plants are quite different in both their growth preferences and the flavor of their berries.

What are black currants called in America?

In the U.S. we still use the separated name “Black Currant” as well as Red Currant or White Currant and often, just Currant which causes some confusion with the misnamed raisins. Zante currants have become part of the English vernacular and have come to be accepted to identify the Greek raisins.

Why is it illegal to grow red currants?

The federal government had banned the growing of black and red currants in 1911 when the burgeoning logging industry put pressure on lawmakers to eliminate the currants because they were thought to be an intermediate host of white pine blister rust.

Which is healthier blueberries or black currants?

The most significant is vitamin C. In fact, blackcurrants carry four times the amount of vitamin C as oranges, and double the amount of antioxidants as blueberries. The benefits of vitamin C are many.

What is a blue currant?

Stink currant (sometimes called blue currant) is an aromatic (malodorous) shrub with erect growth habit from 1-3 meters in height. The leaves are orbicular, 10-20 cm across with heart-shaped bases, and 5-7 narrow lobes with sharply double-toothed margins.