Blackcurrant

Cassis

What it is

Banned in much of the United States for most of the twentieth century, because the bush hosts a rust that kills white pines and the timber industry had the louder lobby. Dijon meanwhile built crème de cassis into an institution.

In the kitchen

The leaves are as useful as the fruit — infuse a few in cream or syrup for a green, resinous note nothing else gives.

Goes with

Dark chocolate Cream Vanilla Mint Almond Honey Duck Black pepper

Same species

Blackcurrant buds Blackcurrant leaf Crème de cassis de Dijon Gooseberry Redcurrant White currant

Also used with

Malic acid Hind Mallard Fallow deer Douglas fir tips Maury

In season alongside

Elderberry Blackberry Cornelian cherry Bergeron apricot Lingonberry Apricot

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