The wild northern red currant bush and its berries are a tasty treat indeed. If you’re lucky enough to find a big haul of them, they can be used in any recipes for cultivated berries. If you find only a few, then they make a fine addition to summer puddings or wild fruit salads.
Red Currant is a native shrub, forming dense patches and growing up to 2 m. Flowers are in hanging clusters and are yellow-green with pinkish-purple centers. They are 4 to 6 mm across and roughly pent-angular in shape, with 5 greenish petals. There are 5 stamens, which alternate with the petals. Fruits are bright red and edible. Leaves are 3 to 5 lobed and approximately 6 cm across.
The Northern red Currant grows all over North America at higher elevations, I always enjoy finding them on a mountain hike, sweet and sour at the same time but quite refreshing.
I like to gather them in my hand until I have enough for a mouthful, then eat them all at once. Gives your taste buds a real zing.