There are many ways to prepare currant and cherry compote. To improve the taste, spices, honey, and nuts are added to it. The preparation is stored for a long time, so you can enjoy the aroma and taste of healthy berries all winter.
Cooking secrets
There are several secrets to preserving compote that help preserve the taste and benefits of the drink.
Adviсe:
- use filtered water for brewing drinks;
- It is better to put fresh fruits in boiling water, so they release more juice;
- do not boil drinks over high heat - the consistency of the fruit pulp changes;
- To preserve vitamins, add a little citric acid to the compote;
- to enhance or change the taste, you can add wine, herbs, spices, vanilla, nuts;
- Do not use fruits with loose pulp.
You can also add honey to drinks, but this should be done when the syrup has cooled slightly.
Products for the recipe
To prepare compote from cherries and currants, select ripe fruits without signs of rotting.
Ingredients:
- cherry – 0.5 kg;
- currants – 200 g;
- sugar – 500 g;
- water.
You can use both red and black currants for the drink, add lemon balm, citric acid, citrus fruits, mint, cinnamon and other spices.
Selection and preparation of ingredients
In order for the compote to be tasty, aromatic and retain vitamins for a long time, it is important to choose the right fruit.
The ripening time for black currants is July. If you pick berries in your own garden, it is better to do it in the morning.
Depending on the variety, the berries should be large, dense, bright red or dark in color, and easily removed from the branches.
Some varieties of cherries ripen as early as the end of June. The berries should be dark red in color, with soft and juicy pulp, and sweet and sour in taste.
Before cooking, the berries are removed from the stalks, sorted, and soft, rotten, and insect-damaged fruits are removed. The fruits are washed several times with running water.
Rules for preparing dishes
Sterilized containers ensure long-term preservation of the taste and quality of drinks. To seal compotes, glass jars with a volume of 1 to 3 liters are used. The container is thoroughly washed using baking soda, rinsed and sterilized.
Sterilization options:
- in a saucepan of boiling water;
- using a kettle;
- in the oven;
- in a slow cooker or double boiler.
For sealing, use metal lids with rubber bands or threads. They are placed in a pan with hot water and boiled for 5-7 minutes. Do this immediately before closing the jars.
How to properly prepare cherry-currant compote?
Preparing cherry-currant compote does not take much time:
- The berries are sorted, debris is removed, and washed well.
- Place in jars or glass bottles with a wide neck.
- Pour boiling water over and leave for 5-6 minutes.
- The colored water is drained, sugar is added and boiled until it is completely dissolved.
- Refill the containers with berries and roll up the lids.
Freshly prepared jars with the preparation are placed upside down and covered with a blanket. They are left in this form for a day until they cool completely.
Further storage of treats
Compotes prepared in compliance with all rules are stored for 2 years. If the seeds have not been removed from the cherries, the drink should be consumed within a year. The reason is that the kernels release toxic substances, and the drink can negatively affect your health.
Despite the fact that compotes tolerate heat well, it is better to keep containers in a cool, dark room. Store only unopened jars in the refrigerator. Once opened, the container should be consumed within 1 week.
