Redcurrant Zitavia - Ribes rubrum

The White Currant Bush 'Zitavia' is highly appreciated for its qualities of robustness, reliability, and durability. With a high yield, the plant produces up to 7kg of fruit per plant. Its long clusters, measuring 8 to 10cm in length, can contain up to 15 berries, each measuring 8 to 10mm in diameter. In July, the uniform ripeness of the fruit makes harvesting easier and optimizes their processing. The berries are filled with a colourless, juicy, aromatic pulp with a subtly acidic taste. They are equally enjoyed fresh after picking, to enhance salads, or cooked to enhance the flavor of savoury dishes or elevate desserts.

A partially sunny exposure and well-drained, nutritious soil are the ideal conditions for abundant harvests. The White Currant Bush 'Zitavia' easily fits into a small fruit hedge, a nourishing garden, or can be cultivated in a large pot on a balcony.

The White Currant Bush, known as Ribes rubrum (syn. sativum), is sometimes also called Gadelle or Raisinet. It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, like the Gooseberry Bush, from which it differs by its fruits grouped in clusters. Its origins in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and the Andes give the Currant Bush excellent cold resistance. Cultivated for a long time, it was introduced to France in the Middle Ages. Historically, in the 14th century, it was mainly used as a medicinal plant, with apothecaries and healers attributing powerful properties to it (fever-reducing, digestive, laxative, diuretic, and purifying). In the 15th and 16th centuries, currants appeared in French gardens. Then in the 18th century, the Danes and the Dutch intensified currant cultivation and spread it worldwide.

The Ribes rubrum 'Zitavia' is an old variety obtained in the 1840s in Germany. Despite the emergence of more recent varieties, it remains very popular in Europe, especially in this country with harsh and long winters. It forms a bushy, non-thorny shrub with a tufted habit of slightly stiff, sparsely branched branches, with soft wood and abundant pith. This hardy bush reaches a height of 1.50m with a spread of 1.20m. The foliage is deciduous, composed of palmate, lobed, and aromatic leaves, medium green and fragrant. Flowering occurs in April, with clusters of small, inconspicuous greenish to brownish flowers that are intensely visited by bees. Fruiting mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old branches. Early on, it produces a high quantity of clusters, composed of numerous small, round, translucent berries, starting from early July. At maturity, the currants are yellowish-white, shiny, and translucent, filled with juicy, fragrant flesh that is both sweet and acidic, containing tiny seeds.

The White Currant 'Zitavia' is self-fertile, so it does not require a companion to bear fruit, but the presence of another variety nearby will increase production. Harvesting takes place gradually as the fruit ripens, and is made easier by the size of the long clusters and their uniform ripeness. The yield of a currant bush is approximately 4 to 6 kg of fruit per plant, depending on the age and growing conditions of the plant.

All currant varieties are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, as well as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, making them real assets for health. Additionally, they are among the least calorie-dense berries (50 kcal per 100 g). Rich in nutrients, they are delicious when eaten fresh, and for added indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. They are excellent for jellies or jams, can be used to garnish pies, and can be used in baking. They are also perfect for making sorbets or ice creams, accompanying red meats, or adding a touch to composed salads.

In the summer, this currant bush, with its long pendulous clusters resembling a string of pearls, will bring pleasure and enchantment. Include it with Blackcurrant Bushes, Raspberry Plants, or other varieties of berries to create a delicious hedge, which it will enhance with its multiple culinary advantages. In a currant plantation, alternating between species and varieties is essential to limit diseases and promote pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile. It can be grown in a pot, but you must choose a container at least 40cm tall and ensure regular watering with non-calcareous water. To maintain healthy growth and optimal production, annual pruning is necessary by removing 1/3 of the branches at ground level, to facilitate the growth of new fruit-bearing branches.