| الوصف: |
Cultivated types of gooseberries are divided into two major groups, European (Ribes grossularia var. uva-crispa) and American (Ribes hirtellum). Gooseberries grow on a bush approximately 1.0–1.8 m tall and about 1.0–1.2 m wide. Most gooseberry cultivars have spines or thorns. The berries are usually borne in ones, twos, or threes, and hang under the branches. The fruit size (weight) varies from about 1.5 g to more than 12 g (the average is about 3–6 g). Berry color may vary from green to yellow/green, to yellow, or white, to pink, to red, to dark red, or purple. The taste ranges from very tart to very sweet. Gooseberries are generally classified as dessert berries, but they can be used for processing or cooking and freezing. Fruit ripen starting about mid-June and the latest are ripe about mid-July. Berries can be hand-picked or by different harvesters. An average fruit yield is 4–5 kg/bush, or 12–15 MT (or more) per ha. The gooseberry fruit contains more than 80% of water. It also has protein, fiber, carbohydrate, organic acids, phenolic compounds, minerals, vitamins, and lipids. Gooseberry belongs to a group of minor fruit crops. However, in European countries such as Russia, Poland, Germany, or Scandinavia, gooseberries are cultivated on large commercial plantations and amateur scale. |
