You may wonder why varieties from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, the Baltic states, and Romania dominate our currant recommendations – and why we deliberately overlook many well-known Western European commercial favourites.

This choice is no accident. It is the result of years of studying where, by whom, and for what purpose these plants were bred. If we want to grow healthy bushes in Central European conditions with minimal use of chemicals, we need to understand the genetics behind them.

1. Russia, Belarus and Ukraine: Titans of Disease Resistance

In these countries, the currant – especially the blackcurrant – was never merely a fruit for pies. Historically, it was a strategic crop, the primary source of vitamin C for vast territories. Significant state funding therefore flowed into its research.

Institutes such as the VNIISPK in Oryol or the Institute of Fruit Growing in Samokhvalovichi (Belarus) worked with enormous gene banks, crossing cultivated European varieties with wild Siberian currant (Ribes dikuscha). The goal was not just productivity – it was survival.

The result for us: Robust "tanks". These varieties survive severe frosts, require no routine acaricide spraying, and are noted for an exceptionally high content of vitamins and pectins.

2. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia: Masters of the Short Summer

The Baltic states have a distinctive climate – long, damp, cold winters and very short summers. Research centres such as the Institute of Horticulture in Dobele (Latvia) or the Polli Horticultural Research Centre (Estonia) faced entirely different challenges from the rest of Europe.

The result for us: Baltic varieties excel in cooler, wetter, more northerly regions. They are typically early-ripening, with outstanding, sweeter flavour and high resistance to leaf drop caused by humidity.

3. Romania: An Underrated Gem for a Changing Climate

Romanian pomology is often overlooked in Central Europe, yet the Research Institute for Fruit Growing in Pitești (ICDP) does excellent work. Romania has a harsh continental climate – cold winters, but above all extremely hot and dry summers.

As our climate shifts and we increasingly experience weeks without rain and temperatures above 35 °C, Romanian varieties represent a tremendous opportunity. Where northern varieties would suffer serious heat stress, Romanian genetics can thrive.

Why Do We Bypass Western Varieties?

Western European varieties – from the Netherlands, England, or France – are not bad. They are outstanding, but for their oceanic climate: mild winters, long and not overly hot summers, and adequate rainfall. They were primarily bred for high yields, uniform ripening, and industrial mechanical harvesting.

Summary of Recommendations

When selecting varieties for your garden, consider your actual growing conditions. Here is an overview of which genetics performs best where:

Our selection of varieties from these countries is deliberate – we seek genetics that can perform independently in our conditions, with minimal chemical input and maximum natural resilience.