In . rogers.com,
Ribitt took a deep breath, sighed and spoke thusly:
"Blanche Nonken" wrote in message
...
George Shirley wrote:

I send Bill gumbo file
and hot sauce and he sends me dried currants, real currants, not
those teensy California grape things they call currants here in the
USA. \

The name originates from England, by way of Greece. They were called
"Grapes of Corinthe" - or so I've read. Time and language being
what it is in England, they're now called currants.

No, no!!

Elderberries and red (or black) currants are two different things, at
least here in Canada.

Elderberries are an astringent type of thing. I have made wine from
them (and you have to be dedicated to drink that stuff). They are a
real pain to get off the clusters. I use a dinner fork. They grow in
large bushes or small trees.

Currants grow along a branch in smaller bushes, more like
gooseberries.

Elderberries and currants can both be used for jellies and jams.

Dried currants, as I understand it, come from a variety of small
grapes. Small raisins, so to speak.


I just put on a pair of disposable latex exam gloves (great for canning prep if you're not
allergic to latex) and strip the berries off with my bare hands.



--
Marilyn
-----------
Having abandoned my search for the truth, I am now looking for a good
fantasy.