The Use of Cassis Berries
What’s the latest in the new line of superfruits? We’ve already had the Acai and Maqui Berries make their grand entrance into the world of superfruits, and now market experts predict the Cassis Berry is all set to tantalize palates and quench America’s thirst for newer and better superfruits to add to the wide array of superfruits that already exist in the market today.
The Cassis berry has an intriguing history. In the early 1900s, cultivation of the Cassis berry was banned in America. Though very popular back then, the Cassis berries were wrongly considered a threat to the logging industry. As a result, cultivation of these rich berries was discontinued for almost a century! In 2003, New York was the first state to right the wrongs done to this benevolent berry. The ban was lifted and other states have quickly followed suit. Because of this, Cassis berries are not as well known in the United States as they are in Europe where they enjoy tremendous popularity and status. Americans are just beginning to discover the wonders of their new berry friend.
The Cassis berry or Black Currant as it is often called is a native shrub (ribes nigrum) of Northern Europe and Northern Asia. The berries have a sweet, astringent flavor, similar to that of black grapes. The berries grow in clusters and have a thin skin. Underneath the skin is a gelatinous, nutrient-dense green pulp.
With a deep purple outer-coloring, the Cassis berry doesn’t appear to offer much more than the Acai or Maqui berry. But don’t let looks fool you. Underneath its ordinary appearance lies an incredible array of nutrients ranging from a wide assortment of B vitamins, Vitamin C, and essential minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and zinc. It’s also got a substantial amount of fiber, amino acids and essential fatty acids called gamma linolenic acid. Just 100 grams of the Cassis berry offers 300 percent of the daily RDA of Vitamin C in our diet! In fact, Cassis berries were used as a substitute for oranges in World War II, with a Vitamin C potency four times that of oranges! Rich in anthocyanins and twice the antioxidant power of blueberries, the Cassis berry is all set to compete for the next superfruit crown. Read more »
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