van Nahmen Black Currant Nectar. Black currant nectar made from black currants – dark, juicy, finely tart.

van Nahmen Black Currant Nectar is a fruit nectar made from black currants by the van Nahmen fruit press in Hamminkeln on the Lower Rhine. It consists of water, black currant juice, and sugar, with a fruit content of at least 33%. 0.75 l, a classic in the family-run press’s assortment.

Black Currant Nectar from van Nahmen is a drink for the carafe. At lunch on the family table, half nectar and half mineral water, it pairs with almost anything on the plate. The producer recommends it as a spritzer, an all-rounder for a meal. In a nectar, water and sugar are added to the fruit juice. This makes sense for black currants, as their juice is so acidic that it would be difficult to drink pure. Therefore, the fruit content is at least one-third. That is enough for the dark berry to set the tone.

Taste

The producer describes a sweet, juicy, and ripe fruit taste with a finely tart aroma. In the glass, it appears as a dark, rich red with the scent of ripe berries straight from the bush.

On the palate, the sweetness hits first, then the typical acidity of the black currant makes itself known and lingers for a while. It is precisely this acidity that gives the nectar its vibrancy. Served pure, it is bold and concentrated; as a spritzer, it becomes lighter and fresher. Those who do not like the strong acidity of black currants will find it too intense even as a spritzer.

Usage

Drink it at 12 to 14 °C, not ice-cold. This brings out the fruit and acidity best. For a spritzer, mix the nectar and mineral water in a 1:1 ratio.

According to the producer, as a spritzer, it pairs with pork roast, chicken, turkey, veal, and pasta. Think of pork fillet with cream sauce, a Sunday roast chicken, or pasta with mushrooms. Served pure, it belongs with dessert: the tasting notes mention desserts with dark chocolate and Rote Grütze (red berry pudding). A piece of chocolate cake with a small glass of nectar on the side is a simple, good combination.

Once the bottle is open, keep it refrigerated and consume it within five days, according to the manufacturer.

Our tip: Pour a splash of nectar over vanilla ice cream with a few fresh berries. In two minutes, you have a dessert that tastes like summer in the garden.

Origin

This nectar has a long tradition in the van Nahmen family. According to the producer, grandfather Wilhelm van Nahmen was already pressing black currants into this nectar. The press itself was founded in 1917 as a Rhenish apple butter factory in Hamminkeln. From 1930, juice production using local fruit was added. Since then, the assortment has grown generation by generation to include single-varietal juices and sparkling fruit seccos.

Today, the fourth generation runs the business in Hamminkeln: Dr. Peter van Nahmen has managed the private press since 2005, together with his wife Sabine. The black currant nectar has remained in the assortment throughout. It is preserved by flash pasteurization. Unopened, it has a shelf life of at least two years according to the producer, making it a good supply for the cellar. The manufacturer states that the nectars contain no artificial colors or preservatives; the color comes solely from the berry.

For whom

For families looking for a lunch table spritzer that tastes like more than just apple. For anyone who remembers black currants from grandma's garden and misses the taste. For hosts who want to offer a suitable glass to accompany a dessert with dark chocolate. And for anyone who loves cooking Rote Grütze in the summer and wants to pour something dark and fruity into the glass to go with it. A sparkling version with red currant is available in the Apple, Black Currant, and Raspberry Fruit Secco. The Organic Pomegranate Direct Juice is dry and deep red. More from Hamminkeln can be found at van Nahmen.

This black currant nectar is not suitable for those looking for a mild, less acidic juice – its acidity is part of its character.

Black currants, a classic since grandfather Wilhelm's time – the dark black currant nectar from Hamminkeln for spritzers, Sunday roasts, and chocolate desserts.