Red currants have been popular in Europe for time immemorial. You’ve no doubt seen the jewel-like fruits featured in recipes for jams, tarts, and pies if you’re a fan of The Great British Bake Off (and don’t be embarrassed if you are – it’s one of the top ten most-streamed shows in America). The berries are also great in cocktails, and they’re a popular addition to many Europeans liquors and ales. That’s because the red currant is a perfect balance of sweet and sour, snappy and subtle, dry and juicy.
It’s the Goldilocks of berries, and it’s got room to grow in the American market.
What does red currant pureé add to beer?
Exotic appeal with European roots
According to Marvin Pritts, a professor of horticulture at Cornell University, fewer than 0.1% of Americans have eaten a red currant, which means the berry maintains an air of mystery. Because few Americans consumers are familiar with the fruit, very few American brewers have experimented with it.
That means brewers who do could corner a new market in the States while tapping into a time-honored European culinary tradition.
FLAVOR
Red currants are most widely used in sour ales like Belgian lambics, Flanders red ales, and German gose because of the fruits complex sweet and sour flavor profile. However, it would make a natural addition to farm and field beers that pair wild berries, yellow stone fruits, and herbs like elderflower as well as walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts. A daring brewer might pair the tannic red currant with chocolate and sour cherries for a beer with a rich, robust flavor.
MOUTHFEEL, and BODY
The tannins in red currant give it a dry sensation while the acids associated with the fruit’s high Vitamin C count make it juicy. This combination creates a complex structure that pairs particularly well with Simcoe and Citra hops and caramelized malts.
Pureé Arête: the pureé with global appeal
At Pureé Arête, we develop pureés that capture the essence of a fruit, and our red currant pureé is no exception. Brewers who want to experiment with a flavor that will surprise and captivate American craft beer aficionados will find the perfect fruit addition in our natural red currant pureé made from the highest-quality fruits.
- No sugar added.
- Custom blends available.
- All natural.
Contact us to learn more about our fruit pureés and concentrates for brewers.
