Otaheite Gooseberry

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Aamloki Cheremai Country Gooseberries Grosella Indian Gooseberries Jimbling Malay Gooseberries Tahitian Gooseberries Tjareme Tjerme Wild Plums

Otaheite Gooseberry is not really a gooseberry. It's a tropical fruit that resembles a gooseberry in look and taste.

The tree can be raised from seed or cuttings, and grows up to 50 feet (15 metres) tall,

There are male and female plants; the female ones bear the fruit. In some parts of the world (such as southern India), a tree will produce 2 crops a year, though they need four years of growth at the start to being producing good crops.

The trees have green, smooth, pointed leaves 3/4 to 3 inches (2 to 7 1/2 cm) long, and bloom with reddish flowers. The fruit grows in clusters on both old and young branches.

The fruit is about the size of a grape, 3/4 to 1 inch (2 to 2 1/2 cm) thick. Its ribbed on the outside with 6 to 8 ribs, and its waxy skin ripens to a pale greeny yellow.

Inside, it has crisp yellow flesh, and a hard pit in the middle with 6 to 8 seeds inside that.

The flavour is very tart. When cooked, it turns red.

It can be made into jelly, jams or pickled preserves, or used as a tart flavouring as lemon juice is.


Nutrition
Per 100g of flesh: .2g protein, .5g fat, 5.4mg calcium, 18mg phosphorus, 4.5mg vitamin C

History
Probably native to Madagascar. Introduced into Jamaica in 1793 and from there spread through the Caribbean. Has naturalized itself in Central America and most of South America.

Also called:
Cicca acida, Cicca disticha L., Phyllanthus acidus, Phyllanthus distichus (Scientific Name); Cerisier de Tahiti, Groseillier des Antilles (French); Cerezo agrio, Manzana Estrella (Spanish); Groselha (Portuguese); Harpharori (Indian) Top...