Redcurrant Jonkheer van Tets - Ribes rubrum

The Jonkheer Van Tets Redcurrant is a hardy variety resistant to cold weather, with vigorous growth and an upright habit, reaching approximately 1.5m in height. It blooms in April with small, pale yellow flowers that are almost invisible. This early variety produces a generous crop of large, red currants, with translucent, fragrant pulp and a sweet, slightly acidic flavour from late June to early July. These small fruits are rich in pectin, a gelling plant substance, making them ideal for making delicious jellies. It is a productive and disease-resistant, easy-to-grow variety that thrives in non-scorching sun and well-drained, even poor soil. Plant from October to March for a harvest in late June and early July.

The Redcurrant, known as Ribes rubrum in Latin, is sometimes also called Gadelle or Raisinet. It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, like the Gooseberry, from which it differs by having its fruits grouped in clusters. Its origins in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and the Andes Mountains give the Redcurrant excellent cold resistance. It has been cultivated for a long time and historically, in the 14th century, it was mainly used as a medicinal plant, with apothecaries and healers attributing powerful properties to it (fever-reducing, digestive, laxative, diuretic, and purifying). In the 15th and 16th centuries, the currant appeared in French gardens. Then, in the 18th century, the Danes and the Dutch intensified currant cultivation and spread it worldwide.

Ribes rubrum 'Jonkheer Van Tets' is a variety obtained by Jurie Maarse, a horticulturist from Schellinkhout in the Netherlands, in 1941. Despite the emergence of more recent varieties, it remains very popular in Europe, especially in countries with harsh and long winters. It forms a bushy, thornless shrub with a tufted habit of slightly stiff, sparsely branched shoots, with soft wood and abundant pith. This very hardy bush reaches a height of 1.50m with a spread of 1.20m. The fragrant foliage is deciduous, composed of palmate, lobed, and aromatic medium-green leaves. Flowering occurs in April, with clusters of insignificant greenish-to-brownish flowers that are loved by bees. Fruiting mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old shoots. Early in the season, it produces a high quantity of clusters, composed of numerous small round and translucent berries. At maturity, the currants are bright, shiny, and vibrant red, filled with juicy, fragrant, sweet, and slightly acidic flesh, containing tiny seeds.

The Jonkheer Van Tets Redcurrant is self-fertile, so it does not require a companion plant to bear fruit, but having another variety nearby will increase the yield. Harvesting can be done gradually as the fruits ripen, and is made easier by the length of the clusters. A currant bush produces approximately 2 to 4 kg of fruit per plant, depending on the age and growing conditions. All currant varieties are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals and trace elements, as well as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, making them valuable for health. They are also among the least calorie-dense small fruits (50 kcal per 100g). Rich in nutrients, they are delicious when eaten fresh, and for added indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. Excellent for jellies or jams, they can also be used to garnish pies and make cakes. They are perfect for making sorbets or ice creams, accompanying red meats, or adding a nice touch to salads.

In the summer, this currant bush, with its long pendulous clusters resembling a string of pearls, will bring pleasure and enchantment. You can associate it with Blackcurrants, Raspberries, or other small fruit varieties to create a delicious hedge, which it will enhance with its multiple culinary advantages. As with any planting, it is important in a currant plantation, to alternate species and varieties where possible. This limits the risk of diseases and promotes pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile. It can be grown in a pot, but you should choose a container at least 40cm tall and ensure regular watering with non-alkaline water.