Gooseberry, a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins. What else should you know about him?

Gooseberry, a berry rich in antioxidants and vitamins B, E and C.

It is a favorite crop of many Czech gardeners and its use in Czech households is widespread.

What benefits does it have for our health? You can read everything in the following article.

Gooseberry, a small fruit with great power

Gooseberry is a tangled bush, growing to a height and width of 1.5 meters. The branches are densely studded with sharp thorns, standing out singly or in bunches. It has bell-shaped flowers, arising singly or in pairs.

Its fruits are small, sour to sweet berries, weighing 3-6 grams. The fruits differ from each other in color. They can be green, yellow-white, pink, red or dark purple.

Colonial Americans used gooseberries for pies, preserves or wine. Now it is often used in meat sauces.

And what does this crop offer? Why is it good for our body?

Why consume gooseberries

Although it is small, it has many benefits for our body.

It is rich in antioxidants and vitamins E and C, which can help protect brain function and fight aging, Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Thanks to its low calorie content and high fiber content, it is suitable for consumption in case of obesity.

Gooseberries are best fresh, but can be eaten on their own or added to cereal, yogurt, salads or a variety of other dishes.

You can also freeze it. If you don’t know how, be inspired by the recipes for the correct preservation of gooseberries .

Nutritional values

This crop is low in calories and fat, but rich in fiber, potassium and vitamins C, B5 and B6.

Gooseberry varieties

There are two main types of gooseberry: European (Ribes uva-crispa) and American (Ribes hirtellum). Now let’s imagine the European one.

Tree gooseberry

It is also called gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa). It originates from Europe, but is also found in the Caucasus and North Africa.

It is grown both commercially and domestically.

European gooseberries tend to be larger and, according to some, tastier than the American variety. They are sometimes the size of a plum, but generally a little smaller. They come in variant shades of white and yellow, red and purple, and most shades in between.

Wild gooseberry

Ribes hirtellum is a species of gooseberry commonly known as wild gooseberry or American gooseberry. He is from Canada.

It grows in wetlands, on the banks of streams or lakes, in meadows or along cliffs.

It is hardier than its European relative, but has smaller fruit and some say a worse taste.

Gooseberry Leveller

It is said to be the best variety of gooseberry for pies. Its berries are large, sweet and yellow.

The Leveller variety can be considered very prolific.

Gooseberry Hinnonmaki Red

It does not have large berries compared to others, but there are a lot of them. It is a reliable and easy to grow variety.

It has sweet, red fruits. The variety is very resistant to fungi.

Gooseberry Captivator

It is distinguished from other species by its thornless stems. It has sweet, pink berries.

This species is well resistant to fungi.

False gooseberry

Ceylon, or false gooseberry, is not a true gooseberry, but it is very similar to it.

It is orange when unripe and deep purple when ripe. It is covered with short spiky grey-green hairs.

The skin is extremely bitter, the flesh is sour and juicy, with a taste similar to cranberries.

It is best eaten fresh, overripe after removing the skin, otherwise it is excellent for canning.

Growing gooseberries

Grow gooseberries in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Prune gooseberry bushes annually, it’s easy. Pruning prevents fungus, leave the center of the bush open.

When to plant gooseberries? The best time is in autumn. After planting, mulch the crop with well-rotted compost, manure or leaf mold.

Gooseberries thrive in a sunny spot as well as in semi-shade. It prefers sandy loam, rich in organic matter. It is good to cover the plant with mulch bark.

Spring or autumn is the best time for planting. How to plant a gooseberry? Space the bushes 1.5m apart with 1.5m spacing between rows.

It bears fruit after one year of growth. Just water it once a week with a large amount of water.

Most gooseberries are ready to pick in July or August. Harvest gooseberries carefully, preferably with gloves, because of the thorns.

Gooseberry diseases

Gooseberries are particularly susceptible to disease in humid climates. If you have gooseberries in a more humid environment, ensure good circulation.

Gooseberry disease can be prevented by annual pruning of the bushes. Cut off any old dying branches.

The crop is susceptible to attack by aphids and gooseberry sawfly. Either cut off the infested part or spray it with a pest spray.

Gooseberry processing

You can use it mainly in the kitchen. It can be consumed raw or cooked. You can add it to desserts, drinks or make jams. You can add gooseberry fruits to ready-made meals, salads or as a decoration.

As already mentioned, you can make marmalade from gooseberries. Read the recipes for gooseberry jam with rum or pineapple , and you will be inspired.

You can also freeze the berries.

It is good to combine it with or without citrus fruits. You can use the combination, for example, in lemonades.

Gooseberry products

Gooseberry compote – you can make desserts, ice cream or puree from canned gooseberries. Or offer it as a main course.

Gooseberry gin – enjoy it neat, with tonic or mixed with sparkling water.

Gooseberry Chutney – goes well with cream cheeses such as brie and ermine

These small berries have many benefits for our body. They help fight diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer and heart disease. So include them more often in your diet, your health will appreciate it.