Ribes rubrum 'Weiße aus Jüterbog'

The White Cluster Currant 'Weisse aus Jüterbog' can withstand cold and harsh winters at higher altitudes. It grows relatively slowly and has an upright habit. It blooms between April and May with small pale yellow flowers, almost invisible but attractive to bees and beneficial insects in the garden. From mid-July, the fruits ripen in short clusters, composed of cream-white spherical berries that ripen evenly. The flesh is colourless, juicy, aromatic, and slightly acidic. The fruits are suitable for both fresh consumption and processing. It is moderately productive but disease-resistant and is an easy-to-grow variety in non-scorching sun and well-drained soil. Although this variety is self-fertile, it is preferable to plant multiple varieties for better cross-pollination and higher yields.

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

The Ribes rubrum 'Weisse aus Jüterbog', sometimes called White from Jüterbog, is an old variety obtained in the 1890s in Jüterbog, a town located 60 km (37.3mi) south of Berlin (Germany). Despite the appearance of more recent varieties, it is still 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, softwood, and abundant pith. This hardy bush will reach a height of 1.50 m (5ft) and a spread of 1.20 m (4ft). The foliage is deciduous, composed of palmate, lobed, and aromatic leaves, medium green and fragrant. The flowering takes place in April in clusters of insignificant greenish-to-brownish flowers highly visited by bees. The fruiting mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old branches. It is a mid-late variety that produces, from mid-July, a high quantity of clusters composed of numerous small round and translucent berries. When ripe, the currants are creamy white, shiny and translucent, filled with juicy, fragrant flesh that is sweet and tart, containing tiny seeds.

The White from Jüterbog Currant is self-fertile, so it does not need a companion to bear fruit, but the presence of another variety nearby will increase production. The harvest takes place as the fruits ripen and is made easier due to the size of the long clusters. A currant bush produces about 2 to 4 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, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, making them beneficial for health. Moreover, they are among the least energy-rich small fruits (50 kcal per 100 g). Nutrient-rich, they are delicious to eat fresh and can be sprinkled with a bit of granulated sugar for extra indulgence. Excellent for jellies or jams, they can also fill tarts and make cakes. They are perfect for making sorbets or ice creams, served with red meats, or as a garnish for salads.

In the summer, this currant bush, with its long pendulous clusters resembling a string of pearls, will bring pleasure and enchantment. You can pair it with Blackcurrants, Raspberries, or other small fruit varieties to create a delicious hedge to strengthen its multiple culinary uses. As with any planting, it is essential to alternate species and varieties where possible. This limits the risk of diseases and promotes pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile. It is possible to grow it in a pot; however, you should choose a container with a height of at least 40 cm (16in) and water regularly with non-limestone water.