Blackcurrant Cassissima Black Marble - Ribes nigrum

The 'Black Marble' Blackcurrant is a very recent variety that offers numerous clusters of large, sweet and slightly acidic berries. It is one of the largest blackcurrants in the world. Its taste is sweet and aromatic, with juicy flesh and very few seeds. Due to their large size, the berries are easy to harvest and have a beautiful dark black colour. This early ripening variety, around mid-July, is also disease-resistant and highly productive. A wonderful discovery to fully enjoy the flavours of blackcurrants. In addition to fruiting, the beautiful deciduous dark green leaves and the coloured wood in winter give this fruit bush a unique charm throughout the year. It is very hardy (to -25°C) and prefers a sunny but not scorching exposure, or partial shade. It is easy to grow and maintain in well-drained, moist soil that is not constantly wet. Plant from October to March for a harvest starting in late July.

The Blackcurrant Bush, known as Ribes nigrum in Latin, belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, like Redcurrants and Gooseberries, from which it is distinguished by its black fruits. Its origins in the temperate regions of Northern Europe to Asia give the Blackcurrant excellent cold resistance. Cultivated since the 16th century, the Blackcurrant grows naturally in the cool woods of Northeastern Europe. Historically, it has been mainly used as a medicinal plant, with apothecaries and healers attributing powerful properties to it.

Ribes nigrum Cassissima 'Black Marble' is a recent Swiss variety from the Cassissima range. This range consists of selected blackcurrant varieties known for their high yields, fleshy fruits with high sugar content, and vigorous plants resistant to diseases. It forms a bushy, non-thorny shrub with a clump-like habit of slightly stiff, sparsely branched limbs, with soft wood and abundant pith. This very hardy bush reaches a height of 1.50 m and a spread of 1.20 m. The deciduous foliage is composed of palmate, lobed, medium-green leaves. It is particularly aromatic and pleasantly fragrant when crushed. Leaves, fruits, and buds are intensely fragrant due to the presence of glands containing essential oils used in perfumery. This Blackcurrant variety blooms in April, with clusters of small greenish to brownish flowers that are quite inconspicuous but loved by bees. Fruit development mainly occurs on 2- and 3-year-old branches and is less common on older ones. It ripens early, producing clusters of 3 to 5 large black berries, over 1 cm in diameter, with fleshy and juicy, very sweet pulp with mild and pleasant aromas, and a slight hint of acidity. When ripe, the berries are black, round, and filled with juicy flesh, containing very few tiny seeds.

The Black Marble Blackcurrant is self-fertile, so it does not require a companion to bear fruit, but the presence of another variety nearby will increase production. Picking can be done gradually as the fruits ripen, and it is simplified due to the size of the berries. A Blackcurrant plant produces about 3 to 5 kg of fruit per plant, depending on the age and growing conditions of the plant. All Blackcurrant varieties are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, making them a real asset for health. Moreover, they are among the least calorie-dense fruits (50 kcal per 100 g). When consumed fresh, they are rich in nutrients. They can also be used to make jellies, jams, pies, cakes, sorbets, ice creams, and milkshakes. They are perfect for accompanying fruit salads and red meats or as a small touch in mixed salads. They can also be transformed into juice or syrups, and used in liqueurs to flavour Kir, cocktails, and Sangria.

In summer, the Blackcurrant adds a decorative touch to your garden with its clusters of black berries. You can associate it with Redcurrants, Raspberries, or other varieties of berries to create a delicious hedge. It is important in a blackcurrant plantation, as in any plantation, to alternate species and varieties whenever possible. This promotes pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile, and reduces the risk of diseases. It can be grown in a pot, but you must choose a container at least 40 cm tall and regularly water it with non-calcareous water.