NEEDED FOR BABIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1942, Page 4

NEEDED FOR BABIES

JUICE OF BLACK CURRANTS PLUNKET SOCIETY APPEAL. APPROVED PRESERVING METHODS. The following notes on the importance and value of black currants as a source of Vitamin C for babies are supplied by the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society:— This season, the war must be won against the blackbirds over the black currant territory! This imperative note is sounded in view of the new phase in our national w r ar situation. With shipping difficulties looming up there may be a shortage of oranges from Australia and the Islands. Oranges are our main source of Vitamin C for babies; but black currants are particularly rich in this vitamin—on the average, three to four times as rich. Moreover, it has been found in England, that babies tolerate black currant juice and puree perfectly well. There are not so many sources of vitamin C which can be given without causing a certain amount of upset to the baby. Will everybody therefore co-operate please, in using-the black currant crop this year? This appeal is being launched through the co-operation of various workers —in the Plunket Society, Department of Home Science, A.C.E., and Department of Health, and of women who have been kind enough to supply last year’s preserves for testing. Experiments done on bottles of fruit preserved last year have gone to show that the methods described below are advisable.

If you intend to preserve them in syrup, prepare the syrup first, e.g., using 3 cups of sugar to four cups of water. Boil. Choose small jars because the fruit juice will thus be used more quickly once the jar is opened. Sound ripe fruit is packed into the clean jars. The jars are stood in a saucepan or preserving pan containing hot water; and either a syrup, as hot as the jars will stand, or hot water, is cautiously poured over the fruit. Bring to the boil as quickly as possible. It is advisable in order to reduce the time necessary to bring to the boil, to do only a few jars at a time. Put the lids on loosely. Keep the outside water jacket boiling for 20 minutes to half an hour. Screw lids down tightly. Store in a dark, cool cupboard. If a dark cupboard is not available, tie brown paper round the jar.

As the jar stands, the vitamin diffuses out of the fruit, and after some time the juice is as rich in the vitamin as the fruit. When the juice and puree is to be used for babies, the juice may be used first, then the fruit may be squeezed through a cloth. Avoid using a metal spoon or metal strainer. The strength of the juice in vitamin C will depend on the proportion of fruit to water or syrup used; but it can be assumed to be at least twice as valuable as orange juice, probably three times if the above precautions are taken. The method of preserving black currants in an aluminium or enamel saucepan or preserving pan will also be reasonably satisfactory, provided that they are quickly brought to the boil, and that too much stirring is avoided. They can be ladled (with a cu£, not a metal ladle) into the sterile jars. •