Blackcurrant leaf

Why we love this botanical

B lackcurrant leaf has a green, soft fruity scent with a recognizable, slight berry-like undertone. The leaves give infusions a round, almost tea-like structure with a subtle herbal quality. In blends, blackcurrant leaf feels like a quiet base that elegantly connects freshness and depth.

During steeping, a clear, light green to gold-tinted brew emerges with a dry, clean leaf structure and a soft hint of blackcurrant. The herb rounds off acids, gives floral and citrus-rich blends more backbone, and adds a calm, mature green tone to fruity compositions.

Habitat & Origin

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) grows on bushes in cool, temperate climate zones with moist, humus-rich soils. The leaves are picked in early summer when the new growth has fully unfolded and the leaf carries its green, soft fruity aroma. Immediate drying prevents oxidation. Maison Tisane selects leaf that is bright green, supple to the touch, and has a subtle berry nose for a round, tea-like infusion.

Active compounds

Blackcurrant leaf contains green flavonoids, light tannins, and subtle leaf oils that form the fresh, soft fruity signature. Phenols provide a light, dry structure in the finish, while the aromatic fraction brings a discrete blackcurrant touch and a clean, green roundness. In blends, blackcurrant leaf gives an elegant, tea-like base with a soft berry whisper.

The Ribes nigrum, pure and in full growth

Ayurvedic approach

Blackcurrant leaf has a cool, dry-fruity signature that mainly soothes Pitta and grants Kapha a light openness, while Vata is approached with softness due to the leafy dryness. In Northern European traditions, it was considered a 'summer screen leaf': a plant whose scent announced the arrival of the berry season. Energetically, the leaf feels like morning coolness along thickets — clear, slightly astringent, and friendly structuring.

Thermal energy (Virya) light cooling

Pitta

Balancing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light balancing

Vata

Increasing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light increasing

Kapha

Balancing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light balancing

Flavour profile & Blending

Intensity

Strong

Accessibility

Accessible

Character

vegetal

Role in the blend

Balanced herb (10–20%): creates a harmonious foundation and supports the other flavours.

The indicated percentage refers to the approximate weight proportion of this herb within the total blend, but it can of course be adjusted to give the herb a more dominant or more subtle role.

Blackcurrant leaf supports blends with a green, soft-fruity leaf structure that rounds off both floral and fruity elements. It makes hibiscus and rose hip less sharp, gives mint and lemon balm a tea-like base, and lifts elderflower to a more elegant blossom tone. In combination with apple or blueberry, a friendly, supple fruit scheme is created. Blackcurrant leaf acts as a connecting link: it brings peace, roundness, and subtle berry warmth.

Blackcurrant leaf fits beautifully with desserts containing red fruit, yogurt with honey, light custards, lemon cake, and oat cookies. The subtle berry leaf tone makes sweetness fresher and fruit more complex. Also with savory dishes like goat cheese, soft chicken dishes, or grain bowls with cranberry, blackcurrant leaf adds an elegant, green fruitiness.

More flavour details

Selection guide (aroma directions)

Intensity

Freshness

Citrus

Fruity

Floral

Spicy / Herbal

Earthy / Woody

Food pairing (structure)

Sweetness

Sourness

Bitterness

Astringency

Body

Aftertaste length

Sharpness / Pungency

Blending notes: vegetal (6/10), resinous (2/10)

Experience Blackcurrant leaf

Discover the versatility of this botanical in our blends, or use it as the foundation for your own creation in our Blendstudio.

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Why we love this botanical