Gooseberry

Gooseberry, commonly known as gooseberry or European gooseberry, is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub native to Europe, the Caucasus,  western Asia and northern Africa. In India it's sometimes called red amla or red nellikka. It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family.

The gooseberry takes its name from the old English word 'goosegog", which means "goose egg".

Gooseberry bushes produce edible fruit and are grown both commercially and domestically. The gooseberry is a spreading shrub that grows up to 1.5 metres high and wide. The spines stand out singly or in two- or three-branched clusters from the bases of the short stolons or lateral leaf shoots.

Growing Gooseberries

To grow gooseberries, it's recommended to plant them 1-1.5 metres apart in well-drained soil enriched with compost or manure. It's recommended to prune gooseberry bushes to maintain their shape and encourage fruiting. Gooseberries are suitable for growing in containers, but they need frequent watering and may need more fertiliser to maintain their growth.

It prefers cool to temperate climates and well-drained soil. It can grow in full sun to partial shade and needs moderate watering.

Gooseberry - Fruit description and taste

The gooseberry fruit is round to oval, 1to 2 centimetres in diameter and can be green, yellow or red. The fruit has a sour and tangy flavour and is often used for jams, jellies, cakes and other baked goods.

Wild gooseberries are smaller than the cultivated berries. The flavour of these berries ranges from tart to sweet. In fact, they taste better than the cultivated varieties. 

Nutritional Content:

Gooseberries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and fibre. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

The gooseberry contains proteins, carbohydrates, organic acids, phenolic compounds, minerals, vitamins and fats.

Gooseberries are best suited for cultivation in cooler climates and are commonly grown in the Himalayan region of India and in some parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.