How to pick blackcurrants

[ButternutSquash]

This might seem daft, but how and when do you pick blackcurrants? I have two Ben Lomonds planted early last year, and one has currants on. Some are green, some purple and some black. Some black ones are soft and taste gorgeous, barely tart. So, do I wait for all to turn black and soft, or will already ripe ones fall off while I am waiting? It seemed to me that not all black ones are ripe too, which makes life complex.

As an aside, Ben Lomond is supposed to ripen late July. Seems they is a wee bit precocious.

[boundtothesoil]

The black ones are the ripe ones. I usually pick over my blackcurrants three or four times, just removing the black ones individually. Whilst this is fiddly, if I leave picking until all the fruit on a truss are black, snipping off the whole truss, the blackbirds have usually had a go. Also, depending on what you want to use the fruit for, you will probably have to remove them off the truss (destring them) before cooking or freezing etc. So one might as well pick them individually to start with, particularly if there aren't tons and tons to deal with.

[ButternutSquash]

I tried a black one a week or two ago and it was green inside and horrible. I tried a few today and they were lovely. So do I have to wait a while for black ones to ripen fully or was that first one unusual? Silly question perhaps, but I had always thought black meant ripe, end of.

[veggiechicken]

They're ripe when they feel soft, black and soft.
Like Boundtothe soil, I pick individually too.

[ButternutSquash]

I was afraid I would have to fondle each one, ah well, they were so tasty it will be worth it.

Thanks all.

[veggiechicken]

Its one of my main pleasures these days

[Scarlet]

I pick individually too.
You must have them in a very sunny spot. I have some early fruiting varieties and mine aren't quite ready yet - though the blackbirds don't seem to mind!

[richmond52]

I have two blackcurrants in containers, Ben Connan and Big Ben and have just finished picking the last ones - much earlier than I expected. I picked individually when black and beginning to get soft. This is my first year for blackcurrants - only planted them last November. Do you prune immediately after fruiting or do you wait until winter?

[Shadylane]

I wait until winter, not sure if that's right though. I actually think they taste disgusting on their own but seasoned with a bit of sugar and vodka they become rather good

[Raybon]

I wait until winter, not sure if that's right though. I actually think they taste disgusting on their own but seasoned with a bit of sugar and vodka they become rather good

This is a great recipe, but try omitting the sugar and blackcurrants.
Works for me!