How to quickly peel blackcurrants at home

Many people wonder how to quickly peel blackcurrants. To do this quickly and correctly, first of all, you need to harvest the berries in a timely manner. Then, you need to sort and prepare the berries for the peeling process. There are different methods for removing debris and stems from the currants, allowing everyone to choose the most effective one.

Preparing the berries

First of all, it's important to harvest the berries properly. This is done in late July or early August. It's important to keep in mind that the berries ripen unevenly, with the gap between ripening and ripening varying from 20 to 30 days.

To harvest properly, it's important to consider the ripening temperature. On warm and hot days, the berries ripen significantly faster than in rainy or cloudy weather. To assess the ripeness of currants, taste them. They should be sweet and tart.

It's also worth considering the age of the bushes before harvesting. Younger plants, which have fewer branches, receive more light. This allows the berries to ripen faster than those on older plants.

Before peeling, carefully inspect the currants. There should be no broken, damaged, or rotten currants. Then, thoroughly wash and dry the currants. Use napkins or a towel for this.

Ways to quickly clean debris from fruits

To quickly clean currants from debris, it is worth using a variety of means.

Using a kitchen tray

Currants have a fairly tough skin, so they can be peeled in a variety of ways. The simplest option is to use a kitchen tray. To do this, pour the berries in small portions into a flat container and remove any debris or spoiled fruit.

However, this method is not suitable for large harvests, as it is time-consuming. To simplify the process, raise one edge of the table by 30-40 centimeters. Create barriers on the sides. Use planks or rolled-up towels for this purpose.

It's recommended to place a container for collecting the fruit underneath. A tray covered with slats on three sides is often used instead of a table. Its top should be raised.

Then, pour the berries, in small portions, onto the surface of a tray or table. The slope allows them to roll down, leaving debris on the surface. As branches and poor-quality fruit accumulate, they are removed from the table.

Use a bowl of cold water

To clean currants, immerse them in cold water. Then, gently stir the berries. This rinses the berries and removes any remaining dirt. This will bring branches and leaves to the surface and allow them to be easily removed. If the berries are heavily soiled, repeat this process several times.

Do I need to remove the branches?

Removing the stems from the fruit is time-consuming. Therefore, many home cooks use the berries in their original state for jams and preserves. The presence of the stems doesn't affect the taste of the finished dish. During processing, the small stems are ground up and are not noticeable in the jam's texture.

Remove the tassels with a fork

Blackcurrants are often picked by the bunch. This process is quite convenient, as it doesn't take much time. A regular fork can be used to remove the stems for subsequent processing. To do this, the bunches of blackcurrants are pulled between the tines. This causes the berries to fall off.

When using this method, be very careful. Sharp cloves can damage the berries, which will negatively impact their shelf life. Damaged fruit should be eaten or processed immediately.

Manual method for red and white berries

These types of currants are sorted using different methods. The easiest way is to remove the stems by hand. To facilitate the process, it is recommended to place the currants on thin paper and dry them completely.

Then, blow the berries with a hairdryer. The blast of air will blow away any small leaves and branches, but the berries will remain in place. Transfer them to a colander, rinse thoroughly, and use for preserves.

How long and how to properly store sorted berries

Currants are harvested only once a year. Therefore, many gardeners are interested in how to properly store the berries to ensure they last as long as possible. It is recommended to eat or process any berries picked in the rain immediately. When exposed to moisture, the berries spoil quickly.

If currants are collected correctly, they can be preserved in several ways:

• fresh in the refrigerator;
• rub with sugar;
• freeze;
• dry;
• make jam or preserves.

To extend their shelf life, currants should be properly prepared. To do this, berries are plucked from the branches, removing any spoiled or bruised ones. Afterwards, the harvest should be thoroughly rinsed under gentle running water and spread in a single layer to dry.

To store currants for several months, freezing is recommended. The exact freezing period should be determined based on the temperature and strict adherence to the preparation instructions.

You don't need to wash the berries before freezing. If you do, they should be thoroughly dried. Place the prepared berries on a flat surface, wrap them in plastic wrap, and place them in the freezer for 2 hours.

After the berries have frozen, it is recommended to transfer them to a bag, seal it tightly and return it to storage.

In a vacuum-sealed bag, currants can be stored at zero degrees Celsius for 1.5 months. At lower temperatures, the shelf life increases to 3-4 months. Deep freezing allows the harvest to be preserved for up to a year without losing its flavor.

If currants need to be defrosted, place them on the top shelf of the refrigerator. This will help prevent the berries from losing their shape.

To preserve berries for a long time, they should be dried. Fresh berries contain 85% water. After drying, this percentage decreases to 15%. Drying berries is acceptable in the oven or microwave. You can also use a special dehydrator or spread the berries out on the balcony.

Dried currants are best stored in a dark place. The temperature should not exceed 20 degrees Celsius. The berries store well in plastic containers or cardboard boxes. They can also be placed in glass jars. If stored correctly, the berries can be stored for up to 1 year.

Currants are a very healthy and tasty berry, enjoying great popularity. To quickly remove debris and branches, you can use modern methods. There are quite a few available, so everyone can find the best option.