North American currant species

[luzula]

Americans! (And others, I suppose, but the plants are native to America.) Have you tasted any of the following, and if so, what did you think of the taste?

- Ribes aureum (according to Wikipedia known as golden currant/clove currant/pruterberry/buffalo currant)
- Ribes divaricatum (the variety known as black honey-berry)
- Ribes cynosbati (apparently tastes of violets?)

Also, are these species, which seem to grow wild and be native to North America, subject to a lot of plant breeding such that there are lots of domesticated breeds, as there are with Ribes species native to Europe such as black currant, red currant and gooseberry? I found these American species for sale at German plant nurseries and am now tempted...the first two especially sound interesting.

Comments

[luzula]

But I thought currants (the dried kind) were actually a kind of raisin, made from grapes? Not actually dried currants (the berry). Or maybe you were just making a pun. : )

[isis]

Huh, you are right! I did not know that.

Apparently they were restricted from growing in the US because of white pine blister rust, and although restrictions have been mostly lifted they are still rare.

Um, I've had cassis, at least!

[luzula]

Only a person who does not regularly eat currants (the berry) could fail to know that! : ) They really taste quite differently. However, I don't think I've ever had cassis.

Yes, I read that about the white pine blister rust--although since there are also native species, I suppose the ban couldn't be 100% effective.