I always stripped them when picking,..why do you loose a third?

You might have drops from the fruit fly? I do have that problem, all got roundup this spring, ..growing now the more valuable black currants.

Konrad,

I think I lose them from just leaving then on the bush too long. I keep hoping they'll get sweeter. My estimate is based on looking at the string and seeing how many empty spots are on the string -- a harsh measure.

I find red currants last well on the bush for a week or two and you can wait until the whole truss is ripe before picking. I don't cut the trusses - they come off easily with an upward tug. Then I pick the whole strig and remove the currants with a fork in the comfort of the kitchen. Black currants are not so easy and I usually end up picking individual berries.

I do it the same way as flora. Red currants are always on a tart side, even when fully ripe. No reason to wait after all berries on a string turned red in my opinion. Black currants can be sweet when ripe (depends on the variety), but not red currants.

Olga

Oh, interesting, grow_darnit. It is certainly easier to keep the stems on. I have no idea WHAT to do with them other than jelly. The seeds are too prominent to using them in baking, which is what I originally had in mind (scones)

"I have no idea WHAT to do with them other than jelly." Red currant shortbread is one of our favourite desserts. A seasonal treat which is eagerly awaited every summer.

They are also a good inclusion in summer pudding. The seeds don't bother us at all.