Benomyl spray before flowering and after harvest should control it. Most cultivars hold well on the plant. For fresh eating let the berries hang for about three weeks after they color up. If the fruits are to be stored at all, they should be picked dry. To avoid damaging the fruits, pick a whole strig by its stem, taking care not to damage the spur.
Yields vary greatly, depending on growing conditions and cultivar.
Anywhere from three pounds to over ten pounds may be harvested from a single bush. Currants are unsurpassed for jelly, but are also good in pies and sauces, especially when mixed with fruits that have body but lack sprightliness. Currants have also been used for wine, said by some to be similar in flavor to Graves or Rhine wines. Black currants are the traditional source of the French liqueur, Cassis. Cultivars are selected for the clarity of juice, size of berry and productivity.