A cousin to the tomato and tomatillo, this delicious berry breaks rank with its savory family to deliver a delightfully sweet and tart flavor that will excite your tastebuds.
Learn more about goldenberries from the woman who imports them to the USA. Click to listen to our latest podcast “Fresh Produce Pioneer” featuring Janice Honigberg of Sun Belle Berries
Have you ever eaten a “goldenberry?” If you haven’t, you are missing a real treat. They have a delicious tangy citrus flavor when first bitten into, and then they finish with a complex sweetness that invokes plum and cherry. Their texture is very similar to a firm cherry tomato. And that should not be surprising because they are closely related. Goldenberries are a small, round fruit that belongs to the nightshade family just as tomatoes do. Their structure, however, resembles a tomatillo as they have a similar husk surrounding the fruit. They are in fact more closely related to the tomatillo. But if you are not a fan of tomatillos, don’t let that discourage you from trying these. They are not at all savory, but tart and sweet.
Goldenberries are native to the Andes Mountain region of South America. They were a staple part of the diet of the Incas who cultivated them for centuries. They also used them for medicinal purposes. The fruit is found growing wild all across the mountain regions of Peru, Chile, and Colombia, but botanists are not sure if these plants are naturally wild or domesticated versions gone wild. The Spanish invaders encountered them early on but it took more time for them to bring them home than some other crops like potatoes. They did not bring them to Europe by until the 18th Century. Once there, the fruit became most popular in England where they began to cultivate them very early after their arrival. However, they were mostly grown as ornamental plants initially.
What’s in a Name?
The Brits wasted no time in spreading goldenberries to their other colonies, especially South Africa where they got their original name. Goldenberry is a relatively new moniker for the fruit and was adopted for marketing purposes. Perhaps because of the superior growing climate for them in South Africa, they proliferated there and became associated with that region. Soon after, they became more commonly known as “cape gooseberries” because of South Africa’s position on the Cape of Good Hope. The Peruvians call them by their Spanish name “aguaymanto.” The Indigenous people of the Andes have differing names for them. In Colombia, they are called uchuva, and in Ecuador uvilla. But our favorite Indigenous name is from Peru. There they call them “topotopo.” The Swedish naturalist, Carl Linnaeus who is often called the father of taxonomy, classified them by the Latin name Physalis peruviana. No matter what name you choose to call them by, there is no doubt once you taste them you will call them delicious.
How Do They Grow?
The goldenberry is a branched, shrubby herb normally growing to about one meter (about 3 feet high) with velvety, heart-shaped leaves. Before reaching full height, side branches develop and grow larger than the main stem, causing the plant to straggle sideways. If staked, pruned, and given good care, height may reach up to two meters. The yellow, bell-shaped flowers are easily pollinated by insects and wind. The calyx or husk at the base of the flower forms a “bladder” around the fruit it begins to form, eventually enclosing it fully. This husk becomes straw-colored and parchmentlike on maturity. In warmer climates, the plant can flower and fruit year-round. Botanically they are a berry, but not a gooseberry.
Nutritional Value
Cape gooseberries are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, making them a valuable addition to any diet. One hundred grams of cape gooseberries contains 43 calories, 11 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, and 0.7 grams of fat. The fruit is also an excellent source of vitamin C, with 100 grams providing 18% of the recommended daily intake. It is also a good source of vitamin A, potassium, and iron.
Health Benefits
Cape gooseberries offer numerous health benefits due to their high nutritional value. Here are some of the key health benefits of this fruit:
- Boosts Immune System: Cape gooseberries are rich in vitamin C, which plays a vital role in boosting the immune system. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body against free radicals, which can damage cells and cause inflammation.
- Promotes Digestive Health: The fiber content in cape gooseberries promotes digestive health by preventing constipation, bloating, and other digestive problems. It also helps to keep the gut microbiome healthy, which can reduce the risk of digestive disorders.
- Supports Eye Health: Cape gooseberries are a good source of vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy eyes. Vitamin A helps to protect the cornea and prevent night blindness.
- Reduces Inflammation: Cape gooseberries contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Chronic inflammation is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Culinary Uses
Cape gooseberries are a versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of culinary applications. Here are some of the most popular culinary uses of this fruit:
- Jams and Preserves: Cape gooseberries are often used to make jams, jellies, and preserves. The tangy, sweet flavor of the fruit makes it an excellent ingredient for these types of preserves.
- Desserts: Cape gooseberries are often used in desserts, such as pies, tarts, and crumbles. The fruit pairs well with other fruits, such as apples, peaches, and pears.
- Salads: Cape gooseberries can be used in salads to add a sweet and tangy flavor. They pair well with bitter greens, such as arugula, and can be used to make a flavorful dressing.
- Snacks: Cape gooseberries make a delicious and healthy snack. They can be eaten fresh or dried, and are a good alternative to sugary snacks.
We have a unique guest joining us on the podcast this week. She is a pioneer in the produce industry and one of the first women to establish her own business in the fresh produce world. Janice Honigberg is the founder and CEO of Sun Belle, a leading grower and importer of all types of berries and some other specialty fruits and vegetables. Janice’s story is an inspiring one. She is truly a visionary who anticipated and instigated trends that changed the global fruit and veggie markets. She was one of the first to begin importing berries from Central and South America so that we can have them year round. She will tell us about how those get to us from so far away and the great strides that are being made in taste and quality. And you will learn about a delicious new fruit called “goldenberries.”
#Sunbelleberrie #freshberries #raspberries #blackberries #blueberries #tomatoesonthevine #hollandpeppers #dutchvegetables #goldenberries #capegooseberries #janicehonigberg #sunbelleinc
Produce Buzz Blog 