Redcurrant Rosetta - Ribes rubrum

The 'Rosetta' Red Currant Bush is appreciated for its large pale pink fruits gathered in long clusters that keep well on the plant. Late, they ripen from mid-July. The berries, 8 to 10mm in diameter, contain firm, translucent, and juicy flesh with a sweet and sour flavour. They are pleasant to eat fresh from the harvest, to be used in sweet or savoury dishes, or to be transformed into juice, jellies, or coulis.

Sensitive to bursting, it is best to pick the currants before it rains. Generous harvests are favoured by a semi-sunny exposure, well-drained soil rich in nutrients. It harmoniously integrates into a small fruit hedge or a nourishing garden, but can also thrive in a large pot on a balcony.

The Red Currant, in Latin Ribes rubrum (syn. sativum), is sometimes also called Gadelle or Raisinet. It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, like the Gooseberry, from which it is distinguished by its fruits gathered in clusters. Its origins in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and the Andes give the Red Currant a very good resistance to cold. Cultivated for a very long time, it was introduced to France in the Middle Ages. Historically, in the 14th century, it was mainly used as a medicinal plant, apothecaries and healers attributed powerful virtues to it (febrifuge, digestive, laxative, diuretic, and depurative). In the 15th and 16th centuries, the currant appeared in French gardens. Then in the 18th century, the Danes and the Dutch intensified the cultivation of currants and spread them around the world.

Ribes rubrum 'Rosetta', is a variety available since 1974, developed by Plant Research International (Wageningen, Netherlands), resulting from the crossbreeding between 'Jonkheer van Tets' and 'Heinemanns Rote Spätlese'. Despite the appearance of more recent varieties, it is still very popular in Europe and especially in this country with harsh and long winters. It forms a bushy, non-thorny shrub, with a tufted habit of slightly stiff, sparsely branched branches, whose wood is soft and provided with abundant pith. This hardy bush will reach a height of 1.50m with a spread of 1.20m. The foliage is deciduous, composed of fragrant palmate, lobed, and aromatic leaves, medium green. Flowering takes place in April, in the form of clusters of small inconspicuous greenish to brownish flowers, intensely visited by bees. Fruiting mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old branches. Late, it produces, from mid-July, a high quantity of clusters, composed of numerous small round and translucent berries. At maturity, the currants are light red, shiny, and translucent, filled with juicy, fragrant flesh, both sweet and tart, containing tiny seeds.

The 'Rosetta' Red Currant is self-fertile, so it does not need a companion to bear fruit, but the presence of another variety nearby will increase production. Picking takes place gradually as the fruits ripen, and is made easier by the size of the long clusters and their uniform ripeness. A currant bush produces about 3 to 6kg of fruit per plant depending on the age and growing conditions of the plant. All currant varieties are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, as well as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, making them real assets for health. Moreover, they are among the least energy-rich small fruits (50kcal per 100g). Rich in nutrients, they are delicious to eat fresh, and for more indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. Excellent in 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 touch to composed salads.

In the summer, this currant bush, with its long pendant clusters, resembling a string of pearls, will bring pleasure and enchantment. Include it with Blackcurrants, Raspberries, or other varieties of small fruits to form a gourmet hedge, which it will reinforce with its multiple culinary assets. In a currant plantation, alternating between species and varieties is essential to limit diseases and promote pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile. It can be grown in a pot, however, you must choose a container at least 40cm tall and water regularly with non-calcareous water. In order to maintain healthy growth and optimal production, annual pruning is necessary, removing 1/3 of the branches at ground level, to facilitate the growth of new fruit-bearing branches.