Gooseberries

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Gooseberries / Ribes uva-crispa /, also known as prickly and German grapes is a round fruit, which is one of the newest berry species. Gooseberries were first introduced as a crop in Russia, where they were grown in monastic courtyards in the 13th century.

It is distributed in the wild in most of Europe, in the mountains of the Caucasus and North Africa, and in Bulgaria it is found in the wet rocky areas of Rila, Rhodope, Belasitsa, Vitosha, Stara Planina. It grows between 700 and 1500 meters above sea level.

In Bulgaria, the cultivars of gooseberries have been transferred from Western Europe, but its economic importance in our country is not very great due to the extremely favorable conditions for growing vines.

So far, more than 1,500 varieties have been created gooseberries. They are grouped according to the color of the fruit - red, yellow, white and green. According to biological characteristics, gooseberries are a shrub 1.5-2 meters high, which has light green fibrous twigs. At the base of the bush grow many stems that have a lifespan of 7-8 years.

Composition of gooseberries

Gooseberries is popular for its rich composition of vitamins, sugars and acids. Grapes are rich in vitamins from influenza B, vitamin A, C, PP, E.

Of the trace elements, iodine, potassium, iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, copper, molybdenum, nickel, sodium, phosphorus and fluorine are best represented. Contains organic acids, dietary fiber, mono and disaccharides. The fruit contains about 45 kcal.

Growing gooseberries

The lifespan of the bush is 20-30 years, but after 10-15 years the yields and quality of the fruit decrease sharply. Fruiting is best up to 4-5 years of age. This requires regular removal of old stems and replace them with new ones.

Gooseberries is relatively resistant to cold and in winter it can withstand up to -28 degrees. It does not tolerate strong summer heat and droughts. It is not very demanding on soils, but grows best on light soils that are well stocked with nutrients. It should not be grown in open and windy places where there is a possibility of frost.

The reproduction of gooseberries with green and mature cuttings is difficult, so apply rooting of horizontal or vertical branches.

It is best to plant in the fall and only exceptionally in early spring. The distances to be planted are 0.8-1 meters in a row and about 2 meters between rows.

One of the most important activities in the cultivation of gooseberries is pruning. By the sixth or seventh year, pruning is done to shape the bush, leaving 3-4 new shoots each year. Further, during pruning for fruiting, dry, broken and the oldest stems are removed every year.

The presence of thorns on the fruit makes harvesting significantly more difficult. The fruits ripen from mid-June to late July. They withstand transport well and can be stored for up to a week.

Cooking with gooseberries

An interesting fact is that the fruits can be used for processing at different stages of maturity. They can be eaten fresh, but they are mainly used to make marmalade, wine, jellies, juices, compotes, jams. They are also used to make various cakes.

For the preparation of juice, the most suitable are the dark-colored varieties, which are picked before they start to soften. Overripe fruits contain too much pectin, which makes it difficult to separate and process the juice. Gooseberries go very well with red and black currant juices.

Benefits of gooseberries

The juice of gooseberries is a very valuable dietary product for metabolic disorders. Excellently refreshing and toning, and due to its high content of vitamins it is recommended for weight loss. When used systematically, gooseberries help with obesity.

It is used for anemia and increased permeability of blood vessels. The useful ingredients of gooseberries help to strengthen the immune system and protect the body from radioactive substances. Serotonin in the ripe fruit has anti-edematous properties.

In general gooseberries has diuretic, refreshing and anti-inflammatory action. Restores blood, strengthens blood vessels and has a tonic effect.

Damage from gooseberries

Gooseberries should not be consumed in people with gastric and duodenal ulcers. It is also contraindicated in colitis and enteritis accompanied by diarrhea. In these cases, a small amount of fruit juice can be consumed.