By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent PIKETON, Ohio — Fruits such as blueberries and black raspberries have solidified their importance on America’s breakfast table. But what about ribes as an edible, nutritious fruit? Why aren’t jostaberries on grocery store shelves?
Horticulture experts at The Ohio State University’s South Centers lab in Piketon are looking into the benefits of ribes – shrubs such as gooseberries and currants – and are now wondering why more farmers are not planting these perfectly healthful fruits.
“Some members of the ribes family, such as gooseberries, currants and jostaberries, are perennial woody shrubs that produce edible berries and these have not been grown commercially in Ohio since the early 1900s,” said OSU horticulture specialist Brad Burgefurd.
“In the early 1900s the Ohio Department of Agriculture stopped production of the currants because they were hosts for carrying pine blister rust and that disease (hurt) many white pine trees. But three years ago we got the list of new varieties of ribes that people can grow, so this opens up a crop farmers can now grow.”
Burgefurd recently returned from Poland, where he saw firsthand how farmers grow and deal with ribes. “I’ve seen how they produce currants, and there’s no reason why growers in Ohio can’t produce them here. I think this is a great opportunity for Ohio growers,” he said.
Burgefurd knows of 12 farmers who are growing ribes on a small scale and thinks it’s only a matter of time before many more jump on the bandwagon.
“These ribes (can) not only be used as fresh fruit, but can be used in jams and many baked goods,” Burgefurd said. “Ribes such as gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and whitecurrants are making a steady comeback as consumers see the benefits of eating this fruit.
“There are people in Ohio now buying and selling ribes, so they’re making a comeback. Many wine-makers in this state are beginning to use them and finding them very favorable, so for growers of this fruit there will be a tremendous opportunity for growth.”
Burgefurd, along with Dr. Gary Gao and other OSU researchers, have grown and performed research on 20 different types of ribes on test plots at South Centers this past year. That crop was harvested and much of the fruit was sent to The James cancer research center for antioxidant testing.
With the help of OSU direct marketing specialist Julie Fox, Burgefurd and his colleagues are conducting a five-minute online electronic survey to further learn if growing ribes will be a viable and marketable crop for farmers. Data obtained from this survey will be used for research, extension education and in publications with names, contact information and research records kept confidential.
“Ribes are an excellent source of vitamin C,” Burgefurd said. “Once you get that taste for them, they can be a part of any healthy diet. But with ribes we have so much to learn, which is why we’re doing this research.”
Even though ribes are foreign to the average shopper, Burgefurd says jam-, jelly- and wine-makers are steps ahead of the public and are experimenting with the fruit. “Ribes have even made their way into many of the fresh markets in the state,” Burgefurd said. “Too oftentimes we just think of using the traditional blueberries or cherries, but the ribes definitely have their own area for growth.”
Still, he admits, the jury is out on this fruit and the online survey will tell his research staff a lot about its usefulness. “As with any study, there’s a lot of things to consider,” Burgefurd said. “We’ll be looking at production ability, irrigation needed, spacing, disease control, pest control and other factors when growing this fruit.”
He and other officials will be showcasing their trial for this fruit during Horticulture Field Night in Piketon Aug. 11; call 740-289-2071 ext 223 for more information. Those wanting to take the five-minute survey may do so at www.zoomerang.com/Survey |
