Otaheite Gooseberry

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 for Otaheite Gooseberry

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

History Notes for Otaheite Gooseberry

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.

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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)