Sunday, September 16, 2007

The Currant

Come on, how many of you ever give more than a passing thought to the humble currant? Very few I imagine. The eager beavers at the Currant Marketing Board obviously have their work cut out to raise the profile of this most inconspicuous of dried fruits.

But what's this? A book in praise of the currant, that's what. Apparently it was something of a latter day super food and recommended by eminent physicians and analysts. The late Sir WM Gull, the great Physician always advised his patients when on a long journey to carry with them a Plum Pudding, and no less an authority than Sir Francis Laking the (late) King's Physician noted that 'many are the ways in which currants can enter into daily use in the household, with great advantage to health and pocket.'

















The virtues of this little dried grape are extolled and a tour through Greek Currant country recommended. It is a trip not to be despised by travellers - not least because of the light-hearted, picturesquely-garbed Grecian peasantry, to whom the currant harvest is is the crowning of the year, and whose cheerfulness and courtesy is legendary. Don't even think for one moment that those cheery smiles might be sniggers of derision at a whey-faced, Plum Pudding toting Englishman abroad....

This little treasure fetched up in a pile of papers at Harry Tuffin's Car Boot Sale at Churchstoke this morning. As Car Boots go it must be one of the best - amongst the obilgatory plastic tat, old board games and gimcrackery nestle some real finds.

I'm off now to knock together a Nelson Pudding (requires currants) which I shall serve with currant sauce and a side order of currant fritters. It's 'hello' cleansed, enriched blood and clear, bright complexion and 'goodbye' waistline methinks.

14 comments:

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

Honw fabulous! (THough I must confess to being a sultana girl meself...)

Elizabethd said...

Well this is obviously what I need, a plum pudding! Never thought of that, but if it brings back the brightness to my eyes...well!! Thanks for your comments, you are right, always time to celebrate one's blessings.

Sally Townsend said...

It is just the book I would have picked up too, one of my favourite sayings is 'however young a prune may be it's always old and wrinkled' hmmmmmm

Un Peu Loufoque said...

You forot squahed fly biscuits as invented by mr garibaldi!!!

Inthemud said...

I like currants, though confess prefer Sultanas

@themill said...

The Farmer of the house always has a large portion of currants and sultanas on his morning oat flakes. Personally , I'm never quite sure of the difference - other than currants are from black grapes and sultanas from green. Is this correct?

Suffolkmum said...

I have to admit, I've never been one for currants. Too man memories of a horrible sponge with currants we used to get at school. Your plum pudding sounds different though! Really enjoyed your post about Paxos which I'e jsut read below.

Norma Murray said...

Don't mock the humble currant. It's been up Everest and to the South Pole. The original super food.
They are best soaked in brandy then baked in a ckae.

Anonymous said...

Good for kids aren't they? Don't they make you poo?

Crystal xx

Anonymous said...

I feel inspired to go and buy a packet of currants now!

Westerwitch/Headmistress said...

I love currants, raisins anything in the dried fruit area . . . . um . . .but they make me . . . . um . . .windy . . .

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

love currants. my grandparents ran a bakery and kept a huge tub of currants on the stairs. when i was about 8 I would sneak away and pinch a handful. i suspect my grandma knew but she never let on.

Cait O'Connor said...

Funny coincidence as my adughter was talking to me yesterday about red currants on the flowering redcurrant plants (ribes sanguinem(. I have one but had never noticed the fruit but they must have them?
I have raisins every morning in my porridge.

Pondside said...

Raisins, currants, sultanas - whatever they are I love them -- in pie or in scones or bran muffins. The little book is a real find and one I'd have picked too.