Dried Zante Currants | No Sugar Added

When you’re shopping for Zante currants with food allergies in mind, you want a producer who handles them in a fully controlled allergen-free environment. Gerbs Dried Zante Currants with No Sugar Added are made in our family-owned, dedicated allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island. Our facility has never handled gluten, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, dairy, eggs, sesame, or any of the 14 major allergens. No co-packers. No shared production equipment. Every bag is packed by our own trained staff on equipment dedicated exclusively to non-GMO, vegan, and kosher products. That is the Gerbs Guarantee.

Despite their name, Zante currants are not true currants (genus Ribes) at all, they are dried seedless grapes from the Black Corinth variety of Vitis vinifera, a small-berried wine grape grown on the Greek island of Zante (Zakynthos) and in other Mediterranean regions. The name dates to medieval English trade routes. They look like very small raisins and share the grape family’s flavor profile, sweet, slightly tangy, and richly fruity, but in a smaller, more concentrated form. Their small size makes them ideal for baking applications where a raisin would be too large and chewy.

No sugar is added, the natural grape sugars are entirely sufficient. Zante currants are particularly beloved in British baking traditions, where they are essential to scones, Eccles cakes, and spotted dick.

Despite the name, Zante currants are not true currants at all, they are dried seedless grapes from the Black Corinth cultivar of Vitis vinifera, a very small-berried grape variety. The name derives from Zante (Zakynthos), a Greek island in the Ionian Sea that was historically a major production and export center for this variety. Zante currants were a major commodity in medieval European trade, prized for their small size, concentrated sweetness, and suitability for baking. True currants (genus Ribes) are an entirely different plant, related to gooseberries. Zante currants look like very small, dark raisins and share a similar flavor profile, sweet, slightly tangy, richly fruity, in a much smaller, more concentrated form. Their size makes them ideal for baking applications where raisins would be too large. No sugar is added.

Iron

Zante currants are a meaningful plant-based source of iron, USDA FoodData Central reports approximately 1.7 mg per 1 oz (28g) serving, representing roughly 9% of the Daily Value for adult men. Iron supports hemoglobin synthesis, oxygen transport, and energy metabolism. Pairing currants with vitamin C-rich foods enhances non-heme iron absorption significantly.

Potassium

A 1 oz serving provides approximately 195 mg of potassium, contributing to the recommended daily intake. Potassium supports fluid balance, blood pressure regulation, and normal heart and muscle function. Like other dried grapes, Zante currants concentrate the grape’s native potassium into a smaller, more intense form.

Antioxidant Polyphenols

Zante currants, as dried grapes, retain the polyphenol profile of Vitis vinifera, including anthocyanins, quercetin, resveratrol, and caffeic acid. USDA ORAC data confirms that dried grape products have high measured antioxidant capacity. These phenolic compounds contribute to overall dietary antioxidant intake.

Dietary Fiber

A 1 oz serving provides approximately 1-2g of dietary fiber, supporting digestive health and contributing to the recommended 25-38g daily intake. The combination of soluble and insoluble fiber supports both gut microbiota feeding and digestive regularity.

Boron

As dried grapes, Zante currants share the grape’s boron content, one of the more concentrated food sources of this trace mineral that supports bone metabolism and calcium retention. As with all foods, individual results may vary. Gerbs makes no medical claims.

Serving Size: 1 oz (28g) | Calories: 82 | Total Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3mg | Total Carbohydrate: 22g | Dietary Fiber: 1.6g | Total Sugars: 18g (no added sugar) | Protein: 1.1g | Potassium: 195mg (4% DV) | Iron: 1.7mg (9% DV) | Calcium: 28mg (2% DV)

Values are approximate and based on USDA FoodData Central data for dried Zante currants. Actual values may vary by batch.

Zante currants have a deep, concentrated sweetness with the characteristic wine-grape flavor profile of dried Vitis vinifera, richer and slightly more complex than standard raisins, with a hint of tartness and a deeper, more intense fruitiness. Their small size concentrates the flavor dramatically. The texture is firm and slightly chewy, less soft than a standard raisin. In baking, their small size means each piece distributes evenly through dough or batter, delivering consistent fruit flavor without large, chewy chunks.

Dried Zante Currants (Black Corinth Grapes), Sunflower Oil.

British Baking

Zante currants are foundational to British baking traditions and are largely irreplaceable in their traditional applications. They are the defining ingredient in current scones, Eccles cakes, spotted dick, bara brith, and hot cross buns. Their small size distributes evenly through dough and batter, ensuring consistent fruit in every bite, a property that raisins, which are larger and chewier, cannot replicate in these delicate applications.

Salads

Add Zante currants to spinach salads, grain salads, and couscous preparations for a small, sweet dried fruit element that integrates without creating the large, chewy pieces that halved raisins produce. Their small size means they appear in every forkful rather than clumping in one part of the dish. Pair with pumpkin seeds and an apple cider vinaigrette for an allergen-free composed salad.

Couscous and Grain Dishes

Stir into couscous, bulgur, and quinoa pilafs alongside herbs and warm spices for a sweet element in savory grain preparations. Currants are a traditional ingredient in Moroccan and Eastern Mediterranean grain dishes where a small, even-distributed sweetness is desired rather than large fruit pieces. Use them where pine nuts (which Gerbs cannot include) would traditionally appear alongside.

Baking (American Style)

Use in oatmeal cookies, shortbread, biscotti, and any preparation where a raisin would work but a smaller, less chewy fruit piece is preferred. Zante currants bake more evenly and produce a less gummy interior than full-sized raisins in thin cookies and delicate baked goods.

Chutneys and Preserves

Simmer dried Zante currants with vinegar, sugar, onion, and spices for a classic currant chutney that pairs with roasted meats, cheese boards, and sandwiches. Their concentrated flavor and small size require no chopping and produce a smooth, richly flavored condiment from simple pantry ingredients.

Store Gerbs Dried Zante Currants in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Unopened, they keep for up to 12 months. After opening, consume within 3-4 months at room temperature in a sealed container, or transfer to the refrigerator for extended freshness of up to 6 months. Zante currants are small and will dry out more quickly than larger dried fruits if left in an open container, seal tightly after each use.