Can you buy black currants in the US?

Blackcurrant Production in the United States

Agricultural production

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Blackcurrant production in the United States is relatively limited. The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) was introduced by English settlers at the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629 and was cultivated on some scale, particularly in New York. The plant acts as a host for the white pine blister rust that threatened the timber industry. In 1911, the federal government banned the cultivation, sale, and transport of blackcurrants to protect the white pine. Government programs systematically destroyed blackcurrant plants by chemical spraying.

The federal ban was lifted in 1966, although many states maintained their own restrictions. Later, research demonstrated that blackcurrants could be safely cultivated at a distance from white pines. This led to the development of rust-immune varieties and new fungicides, resulting in most states relaxing their bans by 2003. Today, blackcurrants are grown commercially in the Northeastern United States and the Pacific Northwest. However, due to the long-standing restrictions, blackcurrants are not widely popular in the United States, with estimates suggesting only 0.1% of Americans have ever tasted this fruit.

History

The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is a woody deciduous shrub native to Europe and part of the genus Ribes, along with other currants (e.g., red and white currants) and the gooseberry. Its stiff, upright branches ("canes") bear flowers and small, black berries. The plant was introduced to North America by English settlers at the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1629, and by the late 19th century, there were about 7,400 acres (3,000 hectares) of Ribes under cultivation. New York became a significant center of Ribes production, accounting for a large portion of the nation's blackcurrant yield.

Despite its cultivation, blackcurrants were not widely popular and were often overshadowed by red and white currants. In 1925, their taste was described in The Small Fruits of New York as having "a stinking and somewhat loathing savour."

Blackcurrants, along with other Ribes plants, are secondary hosts of the white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola). While Ribes are not significantly affected by the rust, it can severely hinder the growth of, and sometimes kill, pines. Of all Ribes species, the blackcurrant is particularly susceptible to this rust.

In the early 20th century, there were few fungicides available to manage the rust, posing a significant threat to the American lumber industry. In response, the federal government banned the cultivation, sale, and transport of blackcurrants in 1911 and funded a program to eradicate these plants using chemical spraying, often carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Over the following decades, scientific understanding evolved, indicating that white pines are primarily at risk only when blackcurrants are grown in close proximity and moist conditions. The federal ban on blackcurrant cultivation was lifted in 1966, leaving individual states to manage this plant. Rust-resistant blackcurrant varieties became available in the 1970s, and some were cultivated commercially in New York, though they remained legally banned initially. The New York state ban was lifted in mid-2002 following a campaign by a farmer seeking to expand blackcurrant cultivation. Despite this, some in the forestry industry protested, although the eastern white pine is now rarely used for lumber.

Current Restrictions

By 2003, restrictions on Ribes cultivation had been lifted across most states, although some bans, particularly on blackcurrants, remain. State laws are enforced with varying levels of efficiency and enthusiasm; in some states, officials effectively ignore the ban.

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Nationally, a prohibition on the import of blackcurrant plants from Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, and several EU countries remains. A special permit is required to import them from Chile.

Current Cultivation and Use

Purple Skittles are blackcurrant flavored in the United Kingdom

The long period of restrictions had a detrimental impact on the cultivation of Ribes in the United States, and some agricultural use remains hindered by existing bans. Blackcurrant plants were rarely seen in the U.S. outside of private backyards until the national ban was lifted. By 2019, they were grown commercially in the Northeastern United States and the Pacific Northwest. The USDA does not keep records of commercial blackcurrant production but lists them as an introduced species in several areas.

The fruit is not widely used in the United States, with the liqueur crème de cassis being a notable exception. The lengthy period during which blackcurrants were restricted has contributed to a lack of familiarity with the fruit. Danny L. Barney, a professor of horticulture at the University of Idaho, stated in 2009, "People simply forgot about them... there's ignorance about what they are, and there are so many fruits available from all over the world at the supermarket." Marvin Pritts, a professor of horticulture at Cornell University, estimates that fewer than 0.1% of Americans have ever eaten a blackcurrant.

The scarcity of blackcurrants in the United States contrasts sharply with Europe, which produces 99.1% of the world's blackcurrant crop, and where the fruit is a popular flavor for squash (cordial). In the UK, blackcurrant squash became popular during World War II as a source of vitamin C, and 90% of British blackcurrant production is now sold to the Ribena company. In Europe, the blackcurrant was historically significant, and Ribes has never been banned. Consequently, purple Skittles are grape-flavored in the United States, while they are blackcurrant-flavored in the UK and some European countries.

References

Why Are Black Currants Banned in America? Risks & Benefits

Doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information regarding a patient's health condition, prescription drugs, or ordered medical procedures. There is no officially approved list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other healthcare professionals. You can use this list to understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Some examples include:

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