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Learn moreCurrants
Fruit
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
When can babies have currants?
Currants, when cooked or crushed and mixed into other foods, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready for solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.
Native to parts of North America, Northern Asia, and Northern Europe, currants grow in various colors, from white to pale pink to deep purple, and have a tart flavor. Black currants are particularly popular in the United Kingdom, in part due to the wide-ranging effects of World War II. When the war made other fruits hard to access, black currant cordial was distributed to children to stave off the ill effects of vitamin C deficiency. Note that the dried fruit known as zante currant is actually a type of raisin and not related to currants.
How do you serve currants to babies?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
6 months old +:
Crush fresh currants or cook them until they burst, then mix the fruit into soft, scoopable foods like porridge or yogurt.
9 months old +:
Flatten fresh currants to make little discs and serve directly on the tray or table, letting baby try to pick them up independently with their developing pincer grasp (where the thumb and forefinger meet). You can also continue serving cooked or crushed currants on their own or mixed into soft, scoopable foods.
12 months old +:
At this age, many toddlers are ready to eat a whole, fresh currant. Before you offer one, assess the child’s eating ability. If you see the child consistently chewing well and not stuffing their mouth, and you feel comfortable, you may offer a whole currant in a safe eating environment. To reduce the risk of choking, offer one at a time, model how to crush the berry with your teeth, and stay within arm’s reach of the child. As the child demonstrates the ability to follow instructions and eat them safely, you can offer more currants at a time. Serving the berries scattered on the tray or table will reduce choking risk by slowing the child down and preventing them from shoveling handfuls of currants in their mouth all at once.
Mix up your mealtime routine with ideas from our Meal and Recipe Ideas Kit.
Are currants a choking hazard for babies?
They can be. Currants are small, round, and slippery, qualities that greatly increase the risk of choking. To minimize the risk, crush or cook currants until they burst. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.
Are currants a common allergen?
No. Allergies to currants are uncommon, but have been reported. Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also known as pollen food allergy syndrome), particularly those who are allergic to grass pollen may be sensitive to currants, although more information is needed. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching, tingling, or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Cooking currants can help minimize the reaction.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity of currant for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
Are currants healthy for babies?
Yes. Currants are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They also offer nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and, for certain varieties of currants, plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. Together, these nutrients support energy levels, digestive functioning, iron absorption, and bodily repair and recovery. They also help regulate electrolyte levels in the body, metabolic processes, and nervous system functioning.
★Tip: Currants stay fresh for up to 6 days when stored loosely wrapped in the refrigerator.
When can babies drink black currant juice?
Small amounts of pasteurized currant juice may be shared as a drink after 12 months of age. That said, it can be beneficial to wait until after a child’s 2nd birthday to regularly share juice and other sugary drinks. Research suggests that regular intake of juice and other sweet drinks tends to increase the risk of dental cavities and take up space in the belly, which may decrease a child’s motivation to eat other foods at mealtime and may negatively affect the child’s growth. However, occasional servings of juice after one year of age generally isn’t a cause for concern. Learn more about juice for babies and toddlers.
Can babies have dried currants?
No. Hold off on regularly serving dried currants until a child is closer to 24 months of age. Dried fruit is a potential choking hazard for babies and toddlers. If a dish that you’d like to share with baby calls for dried currants, make sure that they are rehydrated in warm water and then minced to reduce the choking risk. Note that many dried currant products (especially those labeled as zante currants) are actually raisins.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Rachel Ruiz
Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist
Dr. Sakina Bajowala
Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
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