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Cape Gooseberries
Inventory, 12 ct : 3.25
This item was last sold on : 03/25/23
Description/Taste
Cape gooseberries are globular fruits, averaging 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter, and are encased in a green to tan, papery husk that forms an inflated, lantern shape. The skin of the fruit is initially waxy and slightly sticky when removed from the husk, giving way to a smooth and taut consistency. The skin also transitions from green to orange-yellow when ripe. Underneath the surface, the flesh is aqueous, soft, yellow-orange, and filled with many small, crunchy, and edible, cream-colored seeds. Cape gooseberries have a sweet-tart flavor that is reminiscent of a cherry tomato crossed with tangy notes of pineapple, mango, vanilla, strawberry, and Meyer lemon.
Seasons/Availability
Cape gooseberries are available year-round, with a peak season in the late summer through fall.
Current Facts
Cape gooseberries, botanically classified as Physalis peruviana, are sweet and tangy fruits belonging to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Known by many names, including Goldenberry, Husk Cherry, Peruvian Ground Cherry, and Poha berry, Cape gooseberries are native to South America and have spread around the world, naturalizing in many regions. Cape gooseberries are of no relation to the common gooseberry and are actually a close relative of the tomato and other members of the nightshade family. The tart fruits are viewed from many different perspectives depending on the region they are grown in and can range from being a common, unimportant weed to being seen as a valuable, exported crop. Despite their varying reputation, Cape gooseberries are utilized in an array of sweet and savory culinary preparations and are considered a niche crop, often grown fresh for local markets or produced for use in processed exports.
Nutritional Value
Cape gooseberries are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, antioxidants that boost the immune system, increase collagen production, and reduce inflammation. The fruits also contain phosphorus and calcium to build strong bones and teeth, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, iron, riboflavin, and have been used in natural medicines for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Applications
Cape gooseberries are suited for raw and cooked preparations and shine when boiled or baked. The husks should be discarded before consumption as they have a bitter taste and are inedible, but they can be used as an ornamental decoration on baked goods and desserts. Cape gooseberries can be eaten fresh, out-of-hand as a sweet-tart snack, sliced and tossed into green and fruit salads, chopped into salsas, blended into smoothies, or made into a puree. The small fruits are also easily incorporated into cereals, oatmeal, and yogurt and can be sliced and served as a topping over ice cream. In England, Cape gooseberries are popularly dipped in chocolate, fondant, icing, or pricked and rolled in sugar as a bite-sized dessert. The fruit’s high pectin content also allows the berries to be cooked into preserves, compotes, and syrups for use in pies, crumbles, and tarts. In addition to sweet applications, Cape gooseberries are used similarly to tomatoes and can be cooked into gazpacho, mixed into rice and stuffing, baked into bread and muffins, or halved and served with burrata cheese, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The berries can also be canned or dried for extended use. Cape gooseberries pair well with honey, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and pumpkin, red grapes, apricots, blueberries, strawberries, ginger, and nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, and pecans. The fresh fruits will keep for 1 to 2 weeks when stored in a cool and dark place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Cape gooseberries earned their name from their commercial success in the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. First introduced in 1807, the fruits became a prevalent ingredient in jams and were highly exported in canned form. At the peak of their popularity, Cape gooseberries were introduced to Australia from the Cape of Good Hope, and local Australians gave the fruit its “Cape” moniker in reference to where the fruits originally came from. The name stuck and is one of the most prominent names used worldwide for the fruits in the modern day.
Geography/History
Cape gooseberries are native to Brazil and were naturalized within the Chilean and Peruvian highland regions of the Andes Mountains during ancient times. The Incas were closely associated with the cultivation of the fruit, and in 1774, the plant was introduced to England by explorers returning from the New World. Cape gooseberries then spread to South Africa in 1807 and were also introduced to many other tropical and temperate regions worldwide in the 20th century. Today Cape gooseberries can be found at specialty and local markets in Europe, Africa, Asia, especially in China and India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, South America, and Hawaii and Florida in the United States.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Huntress (Pastry) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Venissimo Cheese Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-491-0708 |
| Red O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
| Avant | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Marriott Marina Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 x6113 |
| Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| WaterBar | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
| New York West | San Diego CA | 858-735-1905 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Booze Brothers Brewing Co. | Vista CA | 760-639-8338 |
| You & Yours Distilling Co. | San Diego CA | 214-693-6619 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Bellamy's Restaurant | Escondido CA | 760-747-5000 |
| Convention Center East | San Diego CA | 619-525-5832 |
| Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-838-8268 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
| Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Mermaids & Cowboys | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0205 |
| The Guild Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Venissimo Cheese North Park | San Diego CA | 619-376-1834 |
| Captains Quarters | San Diego CA | 858-412-5237 |
| Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Cape Gooseberries. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Good Food Stories |
|
Ground Cherry Compote |
| Shikigami |
|
Cape Gooseberry Salad |
Recently Shared
People have shared Cape Gooseberries using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Esentai Gourmet
About 26 days ago, 3/01/23 Sharer's comments : Columbian golden berries 
Little Italy Mercato
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 93 days ago, 12/24/22 Sharer's comments : at Martinez Farms 
transmart gandaria city jakarta selatan
Near Djakarta, Jakarta Capital Region, IndonesiaAbout 138 days ago, 11/08/22 Sharer's comments : golden berry 
Whole Foods Market
Near Sand Lake, Florida, United StatesAbout 151 days ago, 10/27/22 
Union Square Greenmarket
Near New York, United StatesAbout 157 days ago, 10/21/22 Sharer's comments : Husk cherries grown by Rise and Root farm Union Square Green Market New York.. 
University District Farmers Market
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesAbout 219 days ago, 8/20/22 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
McGrath Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesCamarillo, CA 1-805-444-3444 About 222 days ago, 8/17/22 
M&S Simply Food
M&S Simply Food
Near London, England, United KingdomMore London Riverside Unit C The More London Bridge, CliffoRoad, Bridge Road, London SE1 2DA, United Kingdom https://marksandspencer.com About 258 days ago, 7/12/22 
MEIDI YA MILLENIAL WALK
Meidi-Ya Supermarket Millenia Walk
Near Marina Ctr Ter, Singapore9 Raffles Boulevard #02-26 to 36 Millenia Walk Singapore 039596 656-339-1111 About 281 days ago, 6/18/22 
EDEKA
Near Berlin, Berlin, GermanyAbout 357 days ago, 4/04/22 
Marinilla, Antioquia
Maxi Fruver Marinilla
Antioquia, Colombia315-526-5467 About 372 days ago, 3/19/22 Sharer's comments : Uchuva Fresca de la region 
Winn-Dixie
Winn Dixie
Florida, United StatesAbout 490 days ago, 11/22/21 
Santee Farmer's Market
Martinez Farms
Near Santee, California, United StatesNipomo, CA About 550 days ago, 9/22/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 558 days ago, 9/15/21 
Rionegro, Antioquia
La Tienda De La Confianza Quiero Fruta Medellin
Antioquia, ColombiaAbout 634 days ago, 6/30/21 Sharer's comments : Miguel siempre viene a comprar u huevas frescas en la tienda de la confianza 
Mariner's Farmers Market
JM Produce
Near Newport Coast, California, United StatesSan Luis Obispo, CA About 646 days ago, 6/19/21 Sharer's comments : Good for your eyes, good for your bones, high in antioxidants! |
