A currant is a small, round berry that grows in clusters on bushes. Fresh currants can be red, black, or white, and they taste quite tart, which makes them popular for jams, jellies, and baked goods. Black currants have a strong, almost musky flavor that people either love or find too intense. Red currants are milder and often used to make bright, tangy sauces.

When you see “currants” in a recipe for scones or Irish soda bread, though, you're probably looking at something different: small dried grapes that resemble tiny raisins. These dried currants (sometimes called Zante currants) are actually made from a specific type of small, seedless grape. They're sweeter than fresh currants and add little bursts of flavor to baked goods.

Because of this, the word “currant” can mean either the fresh berries on bushes or the tiny dried grapes used in baking, which can make grocery shopping interesting when you're following a family recipe and need to figure out which type it meant.