Blackcurrant Ebony

[Dave & Kate N Wales]

We have a blackcurrant ebony bush which we bought last year so this is it's 1st yr fruiting - but we are not sure when to pick the fruit. Daft question i know but the fruits are now turning black to the point they look ready but we tried 1 and they are quite sharp tasting whereas all the blurb says they are the sweetest blackcurrant, sweet as a black cherry and sweet enough to eat without sugar. Soooo should we leave them longer to ripen or will they just shrivel up and be no good at all, also should they be green inside. Oh and websites say should be ready arly july onwards. Thanks in advance but have never grown or bought them before
Katie

[rustylady]

I've never found a blackcurrant that is sweet enough to eat straight off the bush. IMO they are only suitable for cooking or jam and/or winemaking.

[Two_Sheds]

You'll have to keep tasting until you think they are sweet enough to pick

PS. I hope it's netted against blackbirds

[Snadger]

I've never found a blackcurrant that is sweet enough to eat straight off the bush. IMO they are only suitable for cooking or jam and/or winemaking.

The ones I grow DO go sweet...........usually just before they go rotten!

[realfood]

Provided you have them protected against the birds, they do eventually get sweeter than traditional varieties. They will be ripe when you squeeze them gently between finger and thumb and they "give".

[Dave & Kate N Wales]

They do have a net over them albeit not a brilliant fit as the bush has grown loads in the last couple of weeks so will need to get a bigger one for next year. I hvetried to cover where the berries are as best as possible and have pegged it on too. Will do another taste test tomorrow and decide whether to pick or wait a bit longer
Katie