EAT GOOSEBERRIES
The British climate is particularly well-disposed to producing perfect gooseberries - juicy, tart and full-flavoured - and over the years they have captured the hearts of Britons more than any other nationality. More recently, however, the popularity of gooseberries has waned somewhat and their unique qualities don't seem to be valued as much as they merit. We think they're due for a revival.
The gooseberry season starts with the familiar green gooseberries. These are the best ones for cooking. Use them to make a delicious gooseberry fool (recipe below) or poach them with a little sugar and water to make a traditional accompaniment to mackerel. Later in the season come the dessert gooseberries that are sweet enough to be eaten raw - try them in fruit salads.
HISTORY
Indigenous to cooler areas of Europe and western Asia, gooseberries were first cultivated in Britain in the sixteenth century when they were used medicinally and recommended to plague victims in London. They reached a peak of popularity in nineteenth century Britain when gooseberry wines, pies and puddings were commonplace. Amateur gooseberry clubs, mostly in the Midlands and North of England, held fiercely-fought competitions to find the biggest and tastiest fruit, and many new varieties were developed during this period.
In 1905 the whole European crop of gooseberries was wiped out by a mildew disease accidentally introduced from America. The plant was reintroduced by crossing with mildew-resistant American gooseberries. Today gooseberries are grown and eaten in cooler climates across the globe, from northern America and northern Europe to the Himalayas.
BIOLOGY
Belonging to the genus Ribes, gooseberries are related to blackcurrants and redcurrants. The main cultivated species is the European gooseberry, R. grossularia.
TIPS
BUYING
The small green cooking gooseberries are available early in the season;
look for firm undamaged berries.
Later season dessert gooseberries (often red, yellow or golden coloured) are sweeter and can be eaten raw. Select those with a plump, grape-like texture.
STORING
Firm cooking gooseberries will keep (unwashed) in the fridge for a week
or two. They also freeze well. Softer dessert gooseberries are less durable:
keep refrigerated and eat within two or three days.
PREPARING
Peel away the husk (if present) and rinse. Pat dry and top and tail the
berries with scissors.
Gooseberries can vary quite a bit in sharpness; be prepared to adjust the amount of sugar specified in recipes.
MISCELLANY
The Yorkshire-based Egton Bridge Old Gooseberry Society, founded in 1801, hold an annual Gooseberry Contest on the first Tuesday in August.