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During World War II, most fruits rich in vitamin C became almost impossible to obtain in the United Kingdom. Blackcurrants grow like weeds in the UK climate so the government decided to encourage the planting of the crop.
During wartime blackcurrant cordial (what a vitamin packed cocktail) was distubuted to the nation's children for free. Blackcurrant flavourings have been popular in the UK ever since! Enjoy the Big Ben vintage postcard:)
I have 874 vintage postcards from London in my CPAPHIL.com shop! Come browse through history!
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British Blackcurrant History
Posted by Marie Reed at 12:13 PM
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19 cool cats commented:
The ideas that came out of WWI and WWII are so fascinating! Blackberry cordial for vitamin C. Brilliant! Another wonderful and fascinating post, my friend.
Hello, thanks for stopping by my blog. I love vintage cards and postcards. Looks like you have found some great ones.
Have a great day. Julie
OOh. I like blackcurrant too.
Fascinating ... I am reading The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society .. set in post war London its a must read ..
I like mine as Cassis . . . mmmm.
A famous sirup is also made with Blackcurrants near Dijon, no ?
You can add it to the previous post ; )
I got a lovely jar of Black Currant preserves for Christmas. I'm saving it for a boring grey winter day...like today, actually!
I fell in love with black currant jam (and juices) while traveling in the UK years ago. I never knew why I didn't see it in the US - apparently growing black currants was banned in the early 20th century because some mold or something that lived on them affected the timber industry? Or something like that. It's slowly starting to pop up in different states now, thank goodness!!!
What a fun, delicious way to get vitamin C. Interesting that black currants grow like weeds in the UK!
I think this fruit is so beautiful!
A lot of folk enjoy the old postcards - particularly when they are the same scene brought up to date.
You may not be able to do that but I guess there is room enough for your approach without me going all purist on you.
Welcome.
Just stopping by to say hi! Love your blog, especially your blog banner.
Congratulations, Marie!!! You won. Just send me your mailing address to: oliverue@yahoo.com and I will get it on the mail tomorrow. Thanks for playing and for the comments.
I never knew that! For some time I have wondered why blackcurrant was so popular in England, now I know! Thanks! Excellent post Marie. ♥ ∞
I've never been to England.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Good thing for me you googled postcards and as a result, happened upon my post about ... a postcard! Because, that led me to your blog about ... postcards! :-)
I'm loving looking at your vintage cards, so interesting.
all true, soooo british looking isn't it?
After the war, the Labour government insisted that we children should get free vitamin C, which came to us in delicious orange juice. I remember stealing my little brother's. Later, in Paris, Cassis a l'eau was my standard drink whenever I was lucky enough to be taken to a cafe with grown-ups.
Now you know what to get your brother for his next birthday.. bottles and bottles of OJ to make up for your delinquency:)
I have enjoyed my visit to your blog, thank you.
Black currant jam is the best and love it on toast, that tart flavour is so good.
Have a great day
Carolyn
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