Ribena pure fruit syrups for the manufacture of milkshakes had been done at the Long Ashton Agriculture and Horticulture Research Station in North Somerset using a pectinase enzyme process; Ribena was essentially invented there by Vernon Charley, a scientist at the University of Bristol in 1933. The blackcurrant variety was found to contain high levels of vitamin C. The drink was launched in 1938 under the name Ribena (from the botanical name for the blackcurrant, "Ribes nigrum"). During the Second World War, other fruits rich in vitamin C, like oranges, became almost impossible to obtain in the United Kingdom, due to
Ribes malvaceum and about twice as long as it is wide. The sepals are pink-purple in color and are 4–6 mm. Petals are 2–3 mm and can range in color from pink shades to white. The flower also contains two fused styles which are fused to the tip and have a hairy base. Striking glaucous purple berries are produced. The (6–7 mm fruit is glandular and covered by white hairs. There are several varieties of "R. malvaceum": "Ribes malvaceum" is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty plant nurseries. It is used in traditional gardens, native plant landscapes, and as bird food