Uva-spina Easycrisp Lady Late

The Jostaberry EasyCrisp ® ‘Lady Late’ ® is a recent selection, distinguished by its almost thornless branches as it ages, its regular and high yield of hairless, juicy fruits with a sweet and fruity flavour, and for its healthy growth, as well as its good tolerance to powdery mildew. In summer, the currants are delicious and can be used to enhance salads, savory dishes, or desserts. In April, its somewhat insignificant greenish-white flowers are a food source for bees and other beneficial insects. A sunny exposure and a nutrient-rich soil are necessary for an excellent harvest. This shrub is relatively undemanding and resistant to diseases. It can be grown in open ground or in pots. Easy to maintain and generous, it brings pleasure and enchantment to the garden. Planting from October to March for a harvest in July-August.

The Jostaberry, in Latin Ribes grossularia var. uva-crispa, also known as Spiny Currant, Curly Grape, Hair-snap, Crunch-snap, Balloon or Vineyard, belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, like Redcurrants (Ribes rubrum) and Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum). The name Jostaberry comes from the English who have long used this currant to make a sweet and sour sauce to accompany mackerel. Cultivated in northern Europe since the 16th century, the Jostaberry is a fertile hybrid resulting from the crossbreeding of two species native to Europe and North Africa, still spontaneous in mountain forests in Scotland, France, and the Caucasus.

The Ribes uva-crispa EasyCrisp ® ‘Lady Late’ ® is a very recent Swiss creation from the EasyCrisp ® range. A range composed of currant varieties selected for their high yields, large aromatic and juicy fruits, on almost thornless, vigorous, and disease-resistant plants, especially to powdery mildew. It forms a bushy shrub, slightly thorny, with a tufted port of somewhat stiff, branched, and erect branches. This very hardy bush will reach 1 m in height with a spread of 80 cm. The foliage is deciduous, composed of palmate, lobed, and aromatic, medium green leaves. This shrub resembles classic currants, but differs mainly in the fruits: larger, with a sweet flavour, they appear solitary along the branches unlike redcurrants. Flowering occurs in spring, in the form of clusters of small insignificant greenish flowers, intensely visited by bees. Fruiting occurs more on one- and two-year-old branches. The harvest extends from late July to mid-August. The bush is then covered with large, round to oval berries, with smooth skin, 1.4 cm in diameter, distributed along the branches. When ripe, the currants turn a bright red colour, and are filled with a translucent, juicy, fruity, sweet, and slightly acidic pulp, containing tiny seeds.

The Jostaberry Lady Late is self-fertile, so it does not need a companion to fruit, but the presence of another variety nearby will increase production. Harvesting is done as the fruits ripen. It is simplified due to the size of the berries. The production of a currant bush is about 3 to 5 kg of fruit per plant depending on the age and cultivation conditions of the plant. The fruits are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, as well as potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Moreover, their low sugar content ranks them among the least energetic small fruits (50 kcal per 100 g). The fruit is purifying for the body thanks to its diuretic, digestive, liver decongestant, and laxative properties, provided it is consumed when barely ripe. Picked from the bush, they are exquisite to eat fresh, and for extra indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little crystallised sugar. In cooking, to reduce the acidity of the fruits, they can be blanched for a minute and then refreshed under cold water. Excellent in jellies or jams, they can also be used to garnish pies and make cakes. They will be perfect for making syrups, sorbets, ice creams, or desserts. The subtle balance between the flavours and acidity of the fruits offers an interesting use to accompany meats (game, poultry, ...), fatty fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna, ...), or in salads.

In summer, the Jostaberry Lady Late offers moments of gustatory pleasure with its succulent fruits. Harvesting is easy, as the berries are large and the plant has almost no thorns. A great pleasure for the taste buds and satisfaction for the picker. You can associate it with Blackcurrants, Raspberries, Blueberries, May Berries, or other varieties of small fruits to form a gourmet hedge, which it will reinforce with its many culinary advantages. As in any planting, it is important, in a currant plantation, to alternate species and varieties where possible. This limits the risk of diseases and promotes pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile. It can be grown in a pot; however, you should choose a container at least 40 cm high and ensure regular watering with non-calcareous water.