Ribes uva-crispa
Etymology
The name Ribes originates from the Arabic language, where it was used to refer to small woody plants. As military campaigns advanced, the Ribes genus reached southern Spain and then spread throughout Europe and eventually to the Americas. In the early Middle Ages, Ribes or Ribos also referred to red currants. In Nordic countries, gooseberry juice was traditionally used in a sweet-sour sauce served with mackerel – hence the common name “mackerel berry.”
Habitat and Distribution
Gooseberries have been cultivated in Northern Europe since the 16th century. The plant is a fertile hybrid of two species native to Europe and North Africa, still found wild in mountain forests in Scotland, the Alps, and the Caucasus. About 140 species exist, mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, from Central and South American mountains to Patagonia. Gooseberries thrive in sunny locations with fresh, loose, and fertile soil.
Ecological Value
Most gooseberry varieties have thorny stems, providing ideal nesting protection for birds. In spring, small greenish-white nectar-rich flowers appear, turning into translucent round berries by early summer. Depending on the variety, they can be red, white, or yellow-green. They are harvested when fully ripe and easily detach from the stem. In gardens, gooseberries work well in mixed edible hedgerows or as defensive, thorny borders. The shrub is very hardy but sensitive to drought.
Culinary and Medicinal Value
Gooseberries can be eaten fresh, in salads, desserts (tarts, jams, jellies, ice creams), or savory dishes (with meats, oily fish). Their aroma and tartness make them very versatile.
They are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, and potassium, calcium, and phosphorus – all supporting collagen production, essential for skin, joints, tendons, and blood vessels. With just 50 kcal per 100 g, they are among the least caloric berries. When slightly under-ripe, they have diuretic, digestive, liver-cleansing, and mild laxative effects. In addition to the fruit, young leaves and buds can also be used.
Gooseberry Chutney Recipe :
https://www.egk.ch/fr/notre-profil/vituro/l-univers-des-herbes/archive/septembre-2019-groseillier-a-maquereau
Source :
https://www.jardindupicvert.com/fruitiers-et-petits-fruits/7185-groseillier-a-maquereau.html