It's berry time!
Everything this summer has been about three weeks late, with one exception. Freezing temperature. We already have places within our township, municipaty, that has been below freezing. We did get low temperatures, but we ended up being on the upper side. I have had some heat in my greenhouse for a couple of weeks already. I was a bit worried that all our redcurrants were going to freeze, but they where still good enough to pick.
So me and my hubby spent a couple of hours to pick as much as we could of our redcurrants this weekend. We almost filled up two 10 litres buckets. I did three batches of juice in my steamjuicer and I ended up with 8,5 litres juice (over 2 gallons). I tried to sum up how much juice I have done this summer and the best answer I can get is at least over 20 litres (over 5 gallons). I just have to be happy about that.
I also went to pick more blackcurrants to put in my dehydrator.
I did get a fair amount even after cleaning out stems and debris. I ended up filling my dehydrator.
The only thing I didn't think about was the difference in size between the berries. So now I have a lot of really crisp small berries and some bigger that haven't dried enough yet. So I had an idea. Why not make a powder? I figured that if I can do powder from vegetables I bet I can do powder from berries too. I searched pinterest, but I didn't find anything. So I went on to google and I found a store that sells berry powder. In Sweden. How about that? I didn't have a clue. It could also be a future income, good to know.
I think I have a small mill for almonds laying around somewhere, if I can find it I can give it a try.
I had to try one and I'm pretty sure they will be better to put in my yoghurt if I make a powder, they are quite sour. It also shows that it wasn't just wasted effort. I didn't get dried berries to replace raisins, perhaps I will get a super powder instead.
Until next time, be well.
//S
Wow who would have thought. Black currant powder, I will investigate the medicinal benefits. I have not been able to find any black currants anywhere to pick. Your so lucky. Upvoted and following
I read about it on the store I found and it sounds really good for your health. If you find anything about it's medicinal value, please let me know of it! It's my first year picking black currants, but I have bought small bushes to have them in my own yard. There was a lot of other berries too, I need to go back to the store and find out more.
I wonder if my local nursery would have some, I will have to go and pay a visit. I will reveal my findings about the medicinal properties. Thanks
That's a great idea, I got four small plants last summer and they will give me a lot in the end. They are quite easy to multiply too. I have heard of different ways to multiply them so you might wanna see what you can find about that too. I also got two very small bushes that I found in odd places in my garden, the birds must have been hanging out there :-)
Love the idea of powder. I do the same with tomatoes- great in stews, soups or to make a tomato paste/sauce later.
What are your plans to use your berry powder in?
@originalworks
I have read about tomato powder, but I plan to can mine so I haven't thought about that either. I was going to use the dried berries in my granola, but with powder I could use it in my yoghurt, if I make smoothies and probably in a cup of tea.
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My black currant finally produced enough berries for me to make 3 half pints of jam. Its loaded with natural pectin, so easy to make. It will be a special treat this winter for sure!
That's great! I love the idea of having homemade items stored away to make any moment a little bit more special. It doesn't have to be a lot either, they will only be more appreciated.
nice post
Thank you!
I stumbled upon your posts and absolutely love them!! Love the idea of homesteading (or, in my case, at least starting an urban garden) - and have converted the front lawn into an edible garden (well, first year)- I've planted hardy kiwi (exciting!), mulberry trees, and planted perennial tarragon, sage, oregano, mint, chives... and ah yes, a fountain!!
Love the dehydrated currant idea! Never would have thought of it!
That makes me so happy to hear. Thank you! I just started doing this and even if I did have a garden it isn't all that big and I have to expand to get a vegetable garden that will produce. We all got to start somewhere and every step is important. And of course, a fountain. That's a nice thing to add in :-)
What?? Freezing already? That is crazy!! Glad you got your berries. I love currants, but it is too hot here to grow them.
That's a bit funny, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what I can't grow because it's to cold here! For us it's time to find warmer clothes, we are heading for the looong freezing cold and very dark fall before the snow finally arrives and we can start making plans for christmas ;-)
Good luck with that!! I don't like the long and dark winters! I grew up in Germany - it seems my friends there get depressed every winter. Hope that is different for you!
Omgoodness...Thanks for sharing...Red-currant jam with fresh-oven-baked homemade biscuits is all I can think about as I look at all the beautiful foods from the garden.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Peace!
There's nothing like the taste (or smell) of homemade bread. I have never tried biscuits or jam from currents , but it sure sounds nice! Another thing to add to my to-try-list.
Yum-meeeee!!! :+) Peace.