Dry or freeze currant leaves for the winter

Dried currants are more common; such recipes are known to many families. Try freezing currant leaves for the winter! The result will be different, but the preparation will also provide you with vitamin tea with the taste of summer.

Is it possible to freeze currant leaves, why is drying better?

The most aromatic tea is obtained from fresh currants; dried leaves come in second place in terms of taste and smell. Tea with frozen herbs will not taste like fresh tea. Frozen leaves of the currant bush are more suitable for various cocktails, fruit mixtures, and compotes.

Another argument in favor of drying is a longer shelf life. Frozen greens quickly lose their properties, although they can be stored for up to 12 months. Tea made from dried currants in suitable conditions (ventilated, dark and dry place) can be stored for years.

The argument in favor of freezing is that it preserves more vitamins if done correctly.

When to collect currant leaves

The maximum concentration of nutrients in the leaves of a currant bush is the period strictly before flowering. After the ovaries appear, the green mass will redirect forces from growth to feeding the fruits.

Collect leaves from your site, or in those places that you are sure of. It is better to plan the collection for dry weather so that there is no dew on the leaves. Then you don’t have to wash them and immediately send them to dry or freeze.

If there are still doubts about cleanliness or the bushes had to be sprayed with various preparations against pests and diseases, then wait 2-3 weeks after the treatment procedures and be sure to wash the raw materials after collection.

Take only soft green currant leaves, without cracks, spots, rot or traces of pests. Trim the bush evenly so that it does not weaken!

How to freeze

Freezing currant leaves is quick and easy:

If you can avoid washing, do so. Dry herbs are best stored.
After rinsing, place the currant leaves on a napkin and blot each one. Wait for it to dry.
Tear the dried greens into pieces or chop them with a knife.
Distribute the future tea in portions so as not to remove the whole bag and not have to worry about sticking leaves (this happens if there is a lot of moisture in the bag).
For storage, use food bags, film, plastic containers with lids. The main condition is resistance to low temperatures and tightness.
Place the currant leaves into bags and try to remove all the air.
Tie tightly or cover with a lid (you will have to compact the leaves). If you use plastic wrap, fill it in the center and roll it into a sausage shape. Place the package in the freezer compartment where fruits, vegetables and herbs are stored.
If the technology allows, set the compartment temperature to –20 or lower.
It is better to label all portions with currant leaves so as not to forget the packaging date and expiration date.

Important
The magazine purity-en.htgetrid.com draws the attention of its readers that under no circumstances should currants be thawed and re-frozen. This completely spoils all the qualities of the sheet.

Mixtures for freezing

Currants are often brewed together with raspberries, mint, lemon balm and other garden herbs. Take clean greens or thoroughly wash and dry the raw materials, then chop and package them as in the recipe above. By the way, you can also use fresh berries for this tea collection.

We advise you to drink plenty of tea from currant leaves when they are fresh and rich in nutrients. And for the winter, make several different preparations: dried tea, freezing fresh leaves, mixtures. Compare the results. Somewhere the taste will be more pronounced, somewhere you will get more benefits.