Both gooseberries and currants belong to the genus Ribes. Jostaberries are the interspecies crosses of gooseberries and black currants. Ribes plants and fruits were extremely popular in the United States in the 1800s. In 1899, U.S. Ribes production was estimated to have reached 7,000 acres (Bratsch & Williams, 2009). In the early 1900s, white pine blister rust (WPBR) became a serious disease, threatening the lucrative timber business in the United States. Currants and gooseberries were implicated as the alternate hosts of WPBR. In an attempt to prevent the spread of WPBR, the federal government and state governments in the United States banned propagation, planting, and cultivation of currants and gooseberries in 1911. Different states had varying degrees of restrictions. Black currants had more restrictions than other Ribes plants. However, commercial Ribes production ended shortly after the federal ban.
Even though the federal ban on Ribes was lifted in 1966, there was little interest in growing Ribes. A few researchers have continued Ribes research programs in the United States and Canada. As consumer demand for nutritious local foods increases, a renewed interest in cultivating gooseberries and currants as a new fruit crop is growing due to their high vitamin and antioxidant contents, and their many uses. Currants are tart and mostly used in North America for making jellies, relishes, and juices, while gooseberries are used primarily in jams, jellies, pastries, and compotes (Barney & Hummer, 2006.). Bush-ripened gooseberries are so sweet and tasty they can be eaten out of hand as a table dessert.
Legality of Ribes Production in Ohio
The federal government lifted the propagation, planting, and cultivation ban on Ribes in 1966. Many states have also eased restrictions on Ribes production. In Ohio, the previous Ohio law (Ohio Admin. Code 901:5-43-01) to suppress and control white pine blister rust disease (WPBR) was reviewed on August 10, 2021, and rescinded on October 28, 2021, due to waning concern over the disease and a need to reduce regulations. As of January 2025, currants and gooseberries have no restrictions in Ohio. Given the low potential threat level of WPBR in Ohio, a future ban on growing Ribes (currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries) in the state is not likely.
Market Potential
Currants and gooseberries can be a good specialty crop for farmers to grow for profit. Production research and market outlets are needed since consumers are not familiar with currants and gooseberries due to their limited availability in Ohio and the United States.
Russia, Poland, and Ukraine are the leading countries for the production of currants. In 2022, the total production of currants was 509.50 million kilograms in Russia, 145.80 million kilograms in Poland, and 24.69 million kilograms in Ukraine. The total for world production was 959.44 million kilograms.
Europe leads the world in the gooseberry market with about 90% of global gooseberry production. Russia and the United Kingdom are the top two gooseberry-producing countries.
It may not be realistic for Ohio’s growers to expect an instant market. However, it is still possible that a niche market for currants and gooseberries can be developed and grown over time. A comprehensive marketing program is needed to make the Ribes industry viable. A few farmers in Ohio have planted gooseberries and currants with varying degrees of success. According to the 2022 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agricultural census, Ohio Ribes production consists of 10 acres for currants and five acres for gooseberries. This is an underestimate of the current production of Ribes that does not account for Amish and Mennonite acreage. With increased consumer awareness of the health benefits and versatile uses of Ribes, Ribes production has the potential to reach a substantial size in Ohio.
Uses of Currants and Gooseberries
Pink and white currants are fairly good for fresh eating since they are less acidic than black and red currants. Black currants are best used for currant juice while red currants are best used in baked goods, such as pies.
Red Currant Pie
Ingredients
1 pre-made or homemade pie crust
2 egg whites
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 ½ cups red currants
Instructions
Place dough in pie pan and pat the dough evenly. Place the pan in the fridge and let chill for one hour. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Gradually add the sugar and cornstarch and stir for another 2–3 minutes. Fold in currants and gently pour mixture into warm crust. Bake for another 10–12 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Make sure the pie has cooled completely before serving.
Currant jellies are very tasty as well. Red currants make beautiful and tasty jellies.
Another use of currants is in tea. Harney and Sons black currant tea is a good example.
Gooseberries are quite tasty as fresh fruits. They are sweet when fully ripe and taste like grapes. Gooseberries can be used in pies and made into jams. Gooseberry pies and jams are delicious!
Storage
Currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries do not stay fresh without cold storage. Growers can treat them like grapes and store them in a refrigerator or a cooler at about 32 F, with high humidity (90%–95% if possible). However, Ribes fruit should be consumed or used quickly to avoid spoilage.
Summary
Currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries can be a nice niche crop for Ohio fruit growers. Since they do not have as wide an appeal as blueberries and raspberries, concerted marketing efforts are critical to successfully sell these fruits. It is interesting to note that many recent European immigrants absolutely adore them. More adventurous people will also buy them to make gooseberry jams, jelly, pies or preserves, while others may make currant juice.
Acknowledgments
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its support of Ribes work through a specialty crop block grant. We thank Dr. Maurus Brown, former small fruit extension specialist and associate professor at The Ohio State University South Centers, for applying and securing the specialty crop block grant that funded this project. We thank Mr. Daniel Kinney, Chief of Plant Health Division, for his clarifications on the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s rules on currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries.
References
Barney, D. L., & Hummer, K. E. (2006). Currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries: A guide for growers, marketers, and researchers in North America. Experimental Agriculture, 42(04), 509–510.
doi: 10.1017/S0014479706334102
Bratsch, A., & Williams, J. (2009). Specialty crop profile: Ribes (currants and gooseberries). Virginia Cooperative Extension.
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/items/c01c5e9c-2918-42f3-8af9-a3d84b8e636d