Gooseberry Hinnonmäki Gul - Ribes uva-crispa

The Hinnonmaki Yellow Gooseberry is a thorny variety originating from Finland. It has the advantage of producing a high yield while also being resistant to diseases such as powdery mildew. Its dense and compact vegetation forms a small, hardy, and vigorous bush, reaching approximately 1 metre in height. The fruits, harvested from the bush between July and August, are delicious when eaten fresh. For a successful harvest, it prefers a sunny to partially shaded exposure, in well-drained soil rich in nutrients. It is sensitive to prolonged periods without water. If you are vigilant with watering, it is possible to cultivate it in a large pot.

The Gooseberry, known as Ribes uva-crispa in Latin, is also called Spiny Gooseberry, Curly Grape, Tickler, Ballon, or Vinetier. It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family, along with Redcurrants (Ribes rubrum) and Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum). The name "Gooseberry" comes from the English, who have long used this fruit to make a sweet and sour sauce to accompany mackerel.

Ribes uva-crispa Hinnonmaki Yellow (also known as Hinnonmäki Gul 'Hinnonmäen Keltainen' or 'Hinnonmäki Gold') forms a bushy, thorny shrub with a tufted habit of slightly stiff, branching, and spreading stems. This very hardy bush reaches a height of 1 to 1.30 metres with a spread of 0.80 to 1 metre. The foliage is deciduous, composed of palmate, lobed, and aromatic, medium green leaves. This shrub resembles classic gooseberries but differs mainly in terms of the larger and sweeter fruits that appear solitarily along the branches, unlike clustered gooseberries. Except for a few thornless varieties, Gooseberries have thorny stems. Flowering occurs in spring, in clusters of small inconspicuous greenish flowers, loved by bees. The fruits ripen from July to August. The bush is covered with round, approximately 1.2 cm in diameter berries with smooth, hairy, translucent skin, distributed along the branches. At maturity, the gooseberries turn green-yellow with white veins and are filled with translucent, juicy, acidic, and fruity pulp, containing tiny seeds.

The Hinnonmaki Yellow Gooseberry is self-fertile, so it does not need a companion to bear fruit, but having another variety nearby will increase the yield. The fruits can be harvested as they ripen. Harvesting is made easier due to the size of the berries. A gooseberry bush produces approximately 2 to 4 kg of fruit per plant, depending on the age and growing conditions. The fruits are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Moreover, they have a low sugar content, making them one of the least calorific small fruits (50 kcal per 100 g). The fruit has purifying properties for the body thanks to its diuretic, digestive, liver decongestant, and laxative effects, provided it is consumed when slightly unripe. Freshly picked from the bush, they are delicious to eat, and for added indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. In cooking, to reduce the acidity of the fruits, briefly blanch and then cool under cold water. They are excellent for making jellies or jams, can be used to garnish pies, and can be used in cakes. They are perfect for making syrups, sorbets, ice creams, or desserts. The subtle balance between the flavours and acidity of the fruits offers an interesting use to accompany meats (game, poultry...), fatty fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna...), or as a small touch in salads.

During the summer, the Gooseberry provides the satisfaction of bountiful harvests and the pleasure of enjoying flavourful fruits, but be careful of the thorns. You can associate it with Blackcurrants, Raspberries, Blueberries, Mayberry, or other varieties of small fruits to create a delicious hedge. As with any planting, it is important to alternate species and varieties in a gooseberry plantation, where possible. This limits the risk of diseases and promotes pollination, even if the variety is self-fertile. It can be grown in a pot, but you must choose a container at least 40 cm tall and ensure regular watering with non-calcareous water.