Why aren't there certain fruits for sale in USA?

Question

For example: red or black currant, sour cherries, etc. I live in California and there isn't a single store that sells these berries. Do they sell them in northern states maybe?

Answer 1

I've seen the fresh currants... but only very rarely at a local specialty produce shop "Sigona's Farmers Market" in Redwood City ( http://www.sigonas.com/index0.htm )

I've seen plenty of shops with Currant Jams or Jellies.

Oh, a POSSIBLILITY for the difficulty in finding them comes from this Wikipedia blurb:

Blackcurrants were once popular in the United States as well, but they became extremely rare in the 20th Century after currant farming was banned in the early 1900s. The ban was enacted when it was discovered that blackcurrants helped to spread the tree disease White Pine Blister Rust, which was thought to threaten the then-booming U.S. lumber industry [1].

The federal ban on growing currants was shifted to individual States’ jurisdiction in 1966. The ban was lifted in New York State in 2003 as a result of the efforts Greg Quinn and The Currant Company and currant growing is making a comeback in several states including Vermont, New York, Connecticut and Oregon.[2] However, several statewide bans still exist including Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.[3]. Since the federal ban ceased currant production anywhere in the U.S., the fruit is not well-known and has yet to reach the popularity that it had in the U.S. in the 19th Century or that it currently has in Europe and the UK. The first nationally available black currant beverage in the U.S. since the ban was lifted in many states is a powerful health-food nectar under the brand name CurrantC. Since black currants are a strong source of antioxidants and vitamins (much like pomegranate juice), awareness and popularity are once again growing in the U.S. Dried cranberries are marketed as currants in the US by Ocean Spray.

Answer 2

Apparently back in 1911 certain types of black and red currants were banned from being grown in NY and other states in the US. It was believed that they help pass a dangerous fungus that was thought to be detrimental to the lumber industry. Also, the climate in the UK and Europe is considered more conducive to a good currant crop.

They have lifted the ban in a limited manner in NY, and at least one or two farmers have begun production again...but the amounts grown this year have already been slated for wine production.

The closest you can get to either type of fruit is the cranberry.

I believe that the limited availability of Sour Cherries is due to the climate and soil type required to grow them, and their short season. Not as profitable to grow them in California, and expensive to transport due to the short shelf life.

Answer 3

I haven't seen them for sale in Nevada either, except for the dried currants. If I want fresh ones, then I guess I'll have to go pick them up by Ely next July. There are lots of wild berries up there. Currants, Chokecherries, service berries, goose berries, elderberries, etc. My mom used to make jellies out of them.

Answer 4

Stop shopping at the big corporate chain stores and look instead at local co-op groceries, natural food stores, etc.

Also keep in mind there are seasons for fruit, and right now is not the season for cherries.

Answer 5

it's because those fruits are not wanted by california consumers on a regular basis. products in all the stores must be profitable to earn a space on the shelves. Those fruits have never been marketed to the US as much as the UK. You can always try mail order.

Answer 6

Don't see them here in the NY/NJ metropolitan area either.