Ripe berries of black currant harvested in late July - early August. Collection of fruits should be made in dry weather. On hot days, berries should be picked up in the morning, immediately after the dew disappears, or in the evening, when the heat drops. In rainy weather, it is better not to collect black currant fruit for billet and long-term storage, since the wet berries will rot during subsequent drying. If after collecting berries you need to transport for a long time, it is better to shift their layers with leaves to prevent caking.
Next, in order to procure the black currant berries for treatment, they need to be dried. For this, the fruits are scattered thinly on a flat surface, covered with a layer of clean gauze or linen. You can dry in the attic, under awnings, in an oven or Russian oven. The best option for the preparation of black currant berries for treatment is the use of special dryers, in which the air temperature is maintained at 50-60 ° C. At this stage, it is necessary to ensure that the black currant berries are not dried out and not burnt. The degree of readiness of dried fruits is determined when they are squeezed in the hand: properly dried berries crush when squashed, and do not stick together. Rotten or burned black currant berries are discarded.
How to prepare blackcurrant leaves for treatment?
Blackcurrant leaves harvested in June or July. In this case, it is better to try to tear down on the plant only those leaves that are located on the middle part of the branches, and not on the top or bottom. This is necessary to ensure that after the harvesting of the leaves does not reduce the fruiting black currant. Drying of raw materials is best done outdoors in the shade.
How to store berries and black currant leaves prepared for treatment?
Harvested berries and black currant leaves should be packed in linen bags or cardboard boxes, which are placed for storage in a dry and well-ventilated room.
Dmitry Parshonok , specially for the site