Blackcurrant Organic Titania - Ribes nigrum

The Titania Blackcurrant Bush is a new variety that produces abundantly, with numerous clusters of large, sweet, slightly acidic berries. An ideal variety for jam and fruit juice enthusiasts. Highly appreciated for its delicious fruits, it is equally loved for its ornamental qualities, adding beautiful colours to your garden in summer, and decorating your vegetable patch all year round. It is an easy-to-grow variety that prefers a sunny position, but not scorching. Resistant to cold and adapting well to all types of well-drained, fertile soil, the blackcurrant bush can be planted in all regions of France. Plant from October to March for a harvest starting in late July.

The Blackcurrant Bush, known as Ribes nigrum in Latin, is commonly called Blackcurrant or European Blackcurrant. It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, along with Redcurrants and Gooseberries, from which it is distinguished by its black fruits. Originating from temperate regions of Northern Europe to Asia, the Blackcurrant Bush has excellent cold resistance. Cultivated since the 16th century, the Blackcurrant Bush grows naturally in the cool woods of northeastern Europe. Historically, it has been primarily used for medicinal purposes, as apothecaries and healers attributed powerful properties to it.

The Ribes nigrum 'Titania' forms a bushy, non-thorny shrub with a clump-like habit of slightly stiff, sparsely branched shoots. The wood is soft and has a plentiful pith. This very hardy bush will reach about 1.20m (4ft) in all directions. The foliage is deciduous, consisting 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 small greenish to brownish flowers in clusters, which are quite inconspicuous but intensely visited by bees. The fruiting mainly occurs on 2-3-year-old shoots and is less common on older ones. Maturing quite late, it produces long clusters composed of 5 to 7 large black berries, with fleshy and juicy pulp, very sweet, with pleasant and mild aromas, and a slight hint of acidity. When ripe, the berries are black, round, and filled with juicy flesh containing tiny seeds.

The Titania Blackcurrant Bush is self-fertile, so it does not require a companion plant to bear fruit, but having another variety nearby will increase production. The harvest, which occurs as the fruits ripen, is simplified by the size of the berries. A Blackcurrant Bush produces about 3 to 5 kg of fruit per plant depending on age and growing conditions. All Blackcurrant varieties are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, as well as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, making them a true health asset. Moreover, they are among the least calorie-dense small fruits (50 kcal per 100g). Freshly consumed, 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 adding a touch to mixed salads. They can also be transformed into juice or syrups, and into liqueur to flavor Kir, cocktails, and Sangria.

In summer, the Blackcurrant Bush adds a decorative touch to your garden with its long clusters of black berries. You can associate it with Redcurrants, Raspberry bushes, or other varieties of small fruits to create a delicious hedge. In a Blackcurrant plantation, as in any plantation, it is important to alternate species and varieties where possible. This promotes pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile, and reduces the risk of diseases. It is possible to grow it in a pot; however, you must choose a container with a height of at least 40 cm (16in) and ensure regular watering with non-calcareous water.