There is no easy answer to this question because it depends on your personal preferences. In the last few decades, numerous varieties have come onto the market, so that there is the right variety for every hobby gardener.
What are the best varieties of red currants?
The best varieties of red currants depend on personal preference. Some popular varieties are: Heinemanns Rote Spätlese, Jonkheer von Tets, Makosta, Red Lake, Rolan, Rondom, Rovada, Telake, Junifer and Detvan. Consider factors such as berry size, flavor, harvest time and disease resistance.
Size and taste of the berries play a role
You can find the best red currant varieties for your garden by setting up a few criteria that are particularly important to you. These include:
- Size of berries
- Aroma
- Processing options
- Resistance to diseases
- easy-care shrubs
Many of the newer varieties have proven to be quite robust against diseases. The berries grow very large and the bushes produce a rich harvest. Highly cultivated currant bushes have been refined and can no longer be propagated themselves.
Unfortunately, the trend towards large berries comes at the expense of taste. The larger the fruits are, the less aromatic and more watery they taste.
Try out old house varieties
If the taste of red currants is particularly important to you, you should keep an eye out for a few old house varieties. Although they are usually smaller, they are particularly aromatic.
Old varieties can be found on the Internet. Sometimes gardeners in neighboring gardens are also willing to give away cuttings from their old shrubs.
Small compilation of popular varieties
| Variety name | Berry size | Aroma | Harvest time | Usage | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heinemanns Rote Spätlese | large berries with lots of seeds | sour | August | Jellies, jams, fresh consumption | blooms late |
| Jonkheer of Tets | medium berries | aromatic, sour undertone | July | Jellies, fresh consumption | somewhat susceptible to illness |
| Makosta | dark red noble fruits | very aromatic | July / August | Fresh consumption | |
| Red Lake | very large berries | mildly aromatic | June | Fresh consumption | susceptible to mildew |
| Rolan | red, large berries | aromatically sweet | June | Compote, fresh consumption | very robust |
| Rondom | medium berries | sour undertone | End of June | Juice, fresh consumption | exercises late |
| Rovada | medium red, large berries | very aromatic | Mid-July | Fresh consumption | Award as best variety |
| Telake | lots of medium sized berries | slightly sour | June | Compote, jelly etc. | disease resistant |
| Junifer | medium berries | sweetsour | July | Processing, good for birds | blooms very early |
| Detvan | big berries | sweet, barely sour | July | Jellies, juices, fresh consumption | good espalier fruit |
Tip
The modern cultivars of the red currant are no longer so well received by birds. The old home garden varieties, on the other hand, had to be protected with nets if the gardener wanted to harvest a few berries himself.
