Red currants come into their own in July. It’s a uniquely summer delight to pick them on a hot afternoon, eating them right off the stems.

To avoid confusion in the berry world, keep in mind that berries of the Ribes genus are found in three colors: red, white and black.

• Red and white currants belong to the same species (Ribes rubrum, R. sativum)
• while black currants are a separate species (Ribes nigrum).
• Furthermore, berries of the Ribes genus should not be confused with dried currants, sold mainly for baking, which resemble small raisins. They are actually dried Zante grapes.

70 to 100 days after flowering, the flowers give rise to small shiny round berries, pulpy and sour, under 1/4” in diameter, and which hang in a chain on stems. They are covered with a thin red or white skin, something like a grape. Their flesh contains tiny achenes (seeds).