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Red currant juice for the winter is an excellent preparation option for those who wish to maintain their health during the cold season. It is canned in summer from fresh ripe fruits.
The benefits and harms of red and white currant juice
The preparation of canned white and red currants for the winter allows you to preserve most of the nutrients that are contained in fresh fruits. Therefore, the canned drink turns out to be not only tasty, but also healthy. The berries of both white and red currants contain:
- organic fatty acid complex;
- vitamins A, groups B, C, E, H, PP;
- minerals, especially a high percentage of calcium and iron.
The chemical composition of the berries of white and red currants is very similar, the main differences between these varieties are in the color of the berries and taste characteristics: white gives yellowish fruits with a sweetish taste, and red gives the corresponding shade, but more sour taste.
Due to its rich chemical composition, white, like red, currants are widely used in cooking and folk medicine. Red and white currant juice is beneficial for:
- improving digestive processes;
- prevention of cardiovascular diseases;
- improving the functioning of the nervous system and brain;
- removing toxins and toxins from the body;
- fight against fever.
However, currant juice can harm the body in the presence of stomach diseases - due to the high content of acids, such a drink is highly discouraged for people with gastritis or stomach ulcers. In addition, it is better to exclude the product from your diet for those suffering from hemophilia, poor blood clotting, hepatitis. Everyone else can safely consume the refreshing currant drink that brings health benefits.
How to make red and white currant juice
You can get juice from red and white currants in different ways, the choice depends on the availability of one or another kitchen utensils and units. The oldest and most common method is rubbing through a sieve to separate the juice from the skins and pits of the fruit. You can also strain the berries with gauze.
In addition to these "grandmother" methods, there are others, less labor-intensive.
White and red currant juice through a juicer
Juicers are mechanical and electrical, but the essence of their operation is the same - the machines separate the juice from the cake. The cooking principle is presented with step by step instructions.
- Load the washed and dried fruits of white or red currants into the neck of the device and turn it on. In the case of using a mechanical model, you will have to scroll the handle yourself.
- The cake is separated into a special compartment of the juicer, which may still be useful - if it is too wet, it is passed through the device again.
- After the raw materials give up the maximum amount of liquid, the resulting product must be poured into a saucepan and boiled over low heat.
- As soon as the liquid boils, the fire is turned off, the foam is removed, and the finished product is poured into seaming containers.
White and red currant juice using a blender
In the absence of special devices for obtaining juice from berries (juicer, juicer), you can use a blender, a colander and two pots.
- With a blender, the washed and separated berries are crushed. The resulting mass is transferred to a colander.
- The process of juice extraction is based on heating the mass in a water bath. To do this, a pot of water is placed on the stove, covered with a grate, then an empty pan of a smaller diameter is placed on top, and a colander with chopped berries is placed in it. The entire structure must be covered with natural fabric.
- After about 2 hours of heating in a water bath, all the juice will be released from the currants. It will be completely ready for seaming for the winter - all that remains is to pour it into clean cans and sterilize it for 15 minutes.
White and red currant juice in a juicer
Juice cooker is a wonderful device with which you can easily get juice from currant berries.
- You need to remove the berries from the branch, rinse and load into a special compartment of the machine.
- The process of juice extraction is directly related to the addition of sugar - without this ingredient, no liquid is released from berry raw materials in a juicer. For every 1 kg of raw material, approximately 100 g of sugar is added.
- Water is poured into the water compartment, waiting for it to boil.
- Raw materials are poured into the product compartment, sprinkled with sugar and the juicer is closed with a lid. The cooking time is about 1.5 hours.
- When the juice is ready, you need to place a container under the tap and open it. The resulting product is ready for seaming.
White and red currant juice recipes
There are many interesting recipes for making red and white currant juice for the winter, with and without the addition of additional ingredients that improve the taste of the drink. Below are some of the simplest but most delicious recipes.
A simple recipe
There is a very simple and quick way to make juice for the winter without adding additional ingredients. Here it is suggested to take:
- currants (red and / or white) - 2 kg;
- sugar - 0.3 kg;
- water - 1 liter.
Cooking steps:
- Sort the berries, rinse, separate from the branches, transfer to a saucepan.
- Pour raw materials with water and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. after boiling. It is not recommended to increase the heat treatment time.
- The resulting mass must be filtered through cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve. Everything that remains in the sieve must be thrown away and continue to work with the strained part.
- Sugar is poured into the mass in portions, constantly stirring. Put the whole mixture on low heat and wait for a boil.
- As soon as it boils, the fire is turned off, and the resulting juice is immediately poured into a pre-prepared container and rolled up.
With oranges
By adding orange juice to currant juice, you can get an excellent aromatic and healthy drink, which you will definitely have to dilute with water before use. To prepare it you need:
- currants (red and / or white) - 1.5 kg;
- large orange - 1 pc .;
- water - 0.5 l;
- sugar - 0.3 kg.
Cooking steps
- The orange is washed well with a brush, a thin peel is removed, and the zest is separated.
- Pour water into a saucepan, add sugar, orange zest and cook for 5 minutes.
- During this time, you can pass the berries and orange slices through the juicer. The resulting juice is mixed with strained sugar syrup.
- The currant-orange juice is boiled for 1-2 minutes. and poured into cans.
With apples
For the preparation of currant-apple drink, apples of non-acidic varieties are used, because the second main ingredient has a pronounced sour taste. Juice is prepared from:
- currants (red and / or white) - 1 kg;
- apples - 1.5 kg;
- sugar - 0.3 kg;
- water - 0.3 l.
Cooking steps:
- The washed and cut apples must be passed through a juicer, and the resulting juice pour into a saucepan, add sugar, water and put on low heat.
- While the mixture comes to a boil, the juice is separated from the currants in a juicer and added to the pan.
- The whole mass is brought to a boil and cooked for 2 minutes. Then it, still boiling, is distributed among the banks.
With raspberries
White currant juice does not have a beautifully expressed color and aroma. Raspberries go well with white varieties of berries - they give the drink a bright expressive color and pleasant aroma. This is why raspberries are often used to make juices. Here we need:
- white currant - 1 kg;
- raspberries - 700 g;
- sugar - 0.3 kg;
- water - 0.3 l.
Cooking steps:
- Raspberries together with white currants are kneaded to a mushy state, poured with water and boiled for 15 minutes.
- The resulting mass is filtered and work is continued with the released juice.
- Sugar is added to it and boiled for 3-5 minutes after boiling.
- The hot drink is poured into cans.
With honey
This recipe uses honey instead of sugar as a sweetener to enhance the taste of the drink. For 2.5 kg of red and / or white currants, take the same amount of honey. You will also need:
- citric acid - 50 g;
- water - 1.5 l.
Cooking steps:
- White or red currants are placed in an enamel bowl, poured with citric acid solution and left for 24 hours under a lid. The contents of the pot are stirred several times during the day.
- The mass is filtered through a dense fabric without crushing the berries.
- Honey is added to the resulting juice, the whole mixture is brought to a boil and immediately poured into jars.
With mint
Mint adds freshness to the taste of the drink. For 2 kg of white and / or red currant, it is enough to take only 2-3 mint leaves. In addition, you need:
- honey - 3-4 tablespoons;
- water - 0.5 l.
Cooking steps:
- Mint is added to the juice of white or red currants, obtained in any convenient way, and boiled for 1 minute.
- After turning off the heat, honey is mixed into the mixture.
- The drink is poured into cans, rolled up. Cool upside down.
Terms and conditions of storage
Heat treatment of white and red currant juice allows you to keep it throughout the winter. For example, freshly squeezed berry juice should be used within 3 days of receipt and kept in the refrigerator.
In cans, subject to all the conditions for picking berries, cooking, preparing containers, currant juice will be stored all winter. After hot jars have cooled down in room conditions, they are transferred to a cellar or other cool place.
Conclusion
Red currant juice for the winter is one of the simplest winter preparations. The drink, made from white varieties, has a similar taste and properties. If you prepare the concentrate according to the above recipes, you can use it to make jelly and other dishes, or simply dilute with water and drink.
