Gooseberries

Ribes uva-crispa (gooseberry) is a deciduous, thorny shrub of the Grossulariaceae family, native to Europe and Western Asia. Botanically, it is characterized by palmate lobed leaves and inconspicuous flowers, from which fruits develop – larger berries with typical longitudinal veins. The skin of the fruit can be smooth or glandular hairy, with colors ranging from green and yellow to red. From a nutritional point of view, the fruits are valued for their low calorie content and high fiber content (especially pectin), vitamin C, and potassium. The phytochemical profile is defined by a mixture of organic acids (especially citric and malic acids), which cause the characteristic sour taste, and antioxidants from the flavonoid and anthocyanin groups (especially in dark varieties).