How to freeze currants for the winter to preserve all the nutrients?

Blackcurrant - a storehouse of vitamins and minerals, donated by nature. Unfortunately, you can enjoy the taste of fresh berries only in the summer and only for two to three weeks. Therefore, many housewives are interested in the question of how to freeze currants for the winter in the freezer, so that it retains its medicinal properties and wonderful taste. We have put together some valuable tips on this topic.

When to collect currants for storage?

Harvesting currants begin to be engaged as soon as the berry ripens. It depends on the geographical location and weather conditions. In central Russia, the collection of black "beauty" falls on the period from June 20 to July 10.

Whatever way it is planned to preserve the currant - in the form of jam, jam or jelly, in stewed fruit and grated with sugar, in the refrigerator or freezer - when collecting berries, several rules must be observed:

1. Currants should be collected in clear, dry weather, waiting for the dew to dry on the berries. Harvest shot after the rain will deteriorate faster.
2. Use small buckets, boxes or baskets to collect. The container should be wide and not too deep so that the top layer does not crush the bottom. The optimal volume is 2-3 liters.
3. The berry is removed along with the stem and neatly placed in a basket.

If, for everyday use, currants can be harvested at any time, even in the rain, then for conservation it is imperative to observe the above rules.

Cold storage

Fresh blackcurrants can be stored in the refrigerator without any processing for up to two weeks. At the same time, the color, taste and smell of the product are perfectly preserved. Red and white varieties lie without spoilage for two months, if special conditions are created in the refrigerator (high humidity and temperature no more than + 1 ° С).

Some tips on how to properly store fresh berries in the refrigerator:

• the collected currant is not washed, but only sorted out, separating the spoiled berries;
• for storage use wide baskets or other containers that pass air well;
• the best place in the refrigerator is the top shelf;
• the container must be covered with a damp cloth to protect the berry from drying out;
• do not mix the product during storage, as there is a risk of damage to delicate berries.

In order to keep the crop fresh longer, currants must be picked a little not ripened. During storage in the refrigerator, it will gradually reach a normal degree of maturity.

The classic way to freeze

Currants contain a large number of volatile products - natural substances that kill various pathogenic viruses and increase the body's immunity. However, there are almost no useful substances left in the prepared jam or jam, and besides, the permissible sugar level is exceeded. Therefore, the best way to harvest for the winter is considered to be freezing.

The procurement process is as follows:

1. Dry ripe but not overripe berries are picked and sprinkled in a small plastic bowl or other dishwashing suitable for washing. Red and white varieties can be frozen with twigs. Black currants are usually peeled from a branch and only berries are frozen.
2. The pelvis is filled with cool water and lightly, trying not to crush, ted and turn the berries over. Small debris will float to the surface of the water and it will be easy to collect.
3. The washed currants are laid in a colander to finally drain the water, after which they are scattered in one layer on a cotton towel. Berries before freezing must be thoroughly dried, then they will not stick together.
4. The finished product is scattered on a pallet or flat plate in one layer and sent to the freezer for preliminary freezing.
5. Frozen berries are poured into food containers or bags. Do not take containers of too large a volume, since such a delicate product is not recommended to be frozen twice.

Each decrease in temperature by two degrees increases the shelf life by 1 month. Modern freezing units are able to freeze currants for a whole year. Furthermore, the recommended temperature is -18 ° C.

A simple and convenient preparation is useful for making compotes, pies and dumplings, sour meat sauce and other vitamin dishes. It is necessary to defrost the berry gradually by moving the container from the freezer to the refrigerator, and only after the product has almost completely thawed, bring it to room temperature. Only in this way will the berry retain its shape and color.

How to freeze blackcurrant with sugar?

Some housewives advise freezing currants with sugar. This method is convenient in that the berry sprinkled with sugar practically does not crumple and does not deteriorate, since sugar absorbs the released moisture.

250 g of berries will require 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Plastic containers are used for freezing. The bottom of the prepared dishware is filled with sugar. Berries are laid on it and again sprinkled with sugar. Layers alternate until the container is full. Close the lid and put in the freezer.

Mashed Frost

Frozen berry puree can be used to make jelly, sauce, as an additive to porridge or cottage cheese. Harvesting can be done with or without sugar, it all depends on the preferences of the hostess.

1. Washed berries are crushed using a blender or meat grinder.
2. Sugar is added (if it is decided to prepare a sweet product) and mix thoroughly. 250 grams of sugar is enough for 1 kg of berries.
3. The resulting mass is poured into small containers and placed in a freezer.

To save space, you can shake the frozen cubes from the molds and put them in bags. It is very convenient to use such a blank - to prepare the compote, you only need to get one or two dice and, without defrosting, throw it into the pan.

Frozen currants perfectly retain their properties. Simple and practical preparation in the freezer will allow you to diversify the menu and replenish the supply of vitamins in the winter season.