Currants (small black raisins) are dried from seedless Black Corinth grapes and are a distinct type of raisin known for their tangy and less sweet flavour compared to regular raisins. They originated in the Mediterranean and have historic ties to Greece, but today, South Africa produces them primarily in the Olifants River Valley, where they thrive in dry, sunny conditions.​

Origins
Currants are named after the city of Corinth in Greece, where they were first cultivated.​

The grapes used for currants are small, seedless, and have grown in Mediterranean climates for centuries.​

Uses
Popular in South African baking for scones, fruit cakes, rusks, and sweet breads.​

Used in salads, biscuits, puddings, and as a tangy addition to cereals or muesli.​

Currants are favoured for adding texture and tart notes to both sweet and savoury dishes.

Taste
Currants offer a tart, slightly spicy, and complex flavour profile with bright acidity and berry-like notes.​

Their taste is less sweet and more tangy than ordinary raisins, making them ideal for recipes that require a sharper fruitiness.​