Written by BASSP student Cory C.
The goose is loose! Gooseberry that is. These final, sunshine-filled days of Spring have brought us ripening Gooseberries to enjoy in between classes. With berries that pack a punch of tartness and nutrients, this unassuming shrub might just be the unsung hero of your next foraging adventure. Make sure all you folks attending summer quarter give yourself a break and discover this tasty treasure hidden among the many delights of the Food Forest.
Description
Also known as wild gooseberry, spreading gooseberry, or if you want to get fancy, Ribes divaricatum, the Coastal black gooseberry is a cousin of the currant in the Grossulariaceae family (Coast Black Gooseberry, Ribes divaricatum, n.d.). Its berries are tart and pack a powerful punch. These little juicy treats deliver a tart flavor reminiscent of a cross between a grape and a cranberry. But approach with caution! At each leaf node, you’ll find one to three robust brown spines ready to greet you!
Location on campus
You’ll find Coastal black gooseberry shrubs and their tart treasures in the Food Forest, next to the Food Forest sign and the heartnut tree. Just up the hill, there’s a larger bush with lots of berries near the mulberry tree. Also keep your eyes open around CC3 and Mobius Hall where a few gooseberry shrubs can be spotted!
How to Identify
The Coastal black gooseberry is a deciduous shrub that can stretch up to 10 feet tall with sprawling branches that seem to go in every direction. Adorned with toothed edges, its leaves resemble an open hand with spread fingers; about the size of a large coin or a small cookie, between 2-6 cm wide. The leaves are split into three primary lobes, with the lower ones subtly divided into two. Somewhat heart-shaped, they share similarities to a maple leaf (Fretwell & Starzomski, 2013).
In Spring, the flowers dangle in petite clusters, each adorned with purple-tinted green outer petals that curve back and smaller petals ranging from white to red, surrounding long, prominent pollen stems. These slender blooms droop gracefully, showcasing a color palette from white to red (Fretwell & Starzomski, 2013).
With a similar size and shape to blueberries, the fruit are smooth round berries that still have a remnant of the flower, known as a persistent calyx. When ripe, they turn a deep, dark hue of purple that under the shade of a forest canopy will appear black. These can be enjoyed when they are still green, but pucker up, because the sweetness of the berries won’t really come through until they’re dark and fully ripened.
Traditional Uses and Cultural Significance
We did research to showcase and feature the Lushootseed name, which we found to be ćǝq’abac. We’re interested in more information, but would love to hear from the community about traditions of gooseberry. This is what we found in literature.
Proving that nature’s pantry is well-stocked with both flavor and function, the coastal black gooseberry is a wonder shrub that has played a starring role in the daily life of Western Washington’s earliest caretakers. Utilized by various Indigenous communities throughout the PNW for a slew of edible, medicinal, practical, and cultural applications, the coastal black gooseberry is a marvelous multi-tool that has a long history as an integral mainstay in the rich ethnobotanical heritage of Salish communities.
Food Source: Beyond being a staple snack across the region when eaten fresh and ripe, Coastal black gooseberries can be dried for enjoying later, juiced, or cooked into jams, jellies, and preserves. Another practice was drying the berries, often mixed with salal berries, and pressing them into patty cakes for enjoying over the winter (BRIT – Native American Ethnobotany Database, n.d.).
Medicinal Uses: The juice found inside the bark and roots of Ribes divaricatum was chewed or boiled, then administered as a cold remedy and to soothe a sore throat. The bark and roots were also made into infusions that could be used as eyewash or applied to treat skin sores and charley horses. In addition, the Swinomish even used coastal black gooseberry infusions to treat venereal diseases and fight tuberculosis!(BRIT – Native American Ethnobotany Database, n.d.)
Practical Applications: Coastal black gooseberry is a utility shrub in that almost all the plant’s parts have a use. The shrub’s branches could be hollowed and fashioned into pipe stems. Roots were boiled with the roots of cedar and wild rose, then pounded and woven into rope and reef nets. Even its long, sturdy thorns served as precision tools; used as probes for boils and splinter removal, and its thorns even made for the perfect tattoo needle (BRIT – Native American Ethnobotany Database, n.d.).
Culture: The Coastal black gooseberry held importance in traditional practices as well. Grandparents would wash newborns with gooseberry and wild cherry roots to promote intelligence and obedience (BRIT – Native American Ethnobotany Database, n.d.).
Recipes
Grab your apron and let’s dive into the mouthwatering world of gooseberry gastronomy! If you’re a fan of zesty flavors or just looking to add a unique twist to your favorite recipes, the ways that Coastal black gooseberries can be enjoyed are only limited by your imagination.
These berries can be eaten fresh by the handful or relished one by one. The berries add a distinctive complexity when added to salads, baked into muffins, or mixed into your next mocktail or cocktail creation. Coastal black gooseberry can serve as a unique substitute for virtually any recipe that calls for cranberries. Similarly, coastal black gooseberries can be made into a delicious sauce to top off your favorite sweet or savory dishes. Simmering gooseberries like cranberries with water until the berries burst and the mixture thickens. Adding a pinch of cinnamon, a dash of fresh ginger, or a sprinkle of orange zest can add extra flavor to the sauce. Keep in mind that when fully ripened, gooseberries are sweeter than cranberries and should not require the same amount of added sweetener. Gooseberry sauce can be poured over a field roast, a choice cut of meat, or your morning waffles.
With the heat of summer coming up, these berries can enhance a beverage to help us stay hydrated. Try this delightful refreshment that brings together the tartness of gooseberries and the freshness of mint!
Coastal Black Gooseberry Mojito Mocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coastal black gooseberries
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey, maple, agave, or simple syrup (optional)
- Sparkling water
- Ice
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lime slices for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare a Gooseberry Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine the coastal black gooseberries with 1/2 cup of water.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the berries burst and the mixture thickens (about 10-15 minutes).
- Strain the mixture through a strainer, sieve, or cheesecloth, pressing the berries to extract as much juice as possible. Set the solids aside for later use.
- Stir in honey or preferred sweetener while the syrup is still warm (optional for added sweetness).
- Let the syrup cool completely.
- Assemble the Mocktail:
- In a glass, add a handful of fresh mint leaves and a slice of lime.
- Muddle the mint leaves and lime slice together to release the flavors.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of the coastal black gooseberry syrup.
- Pour in the fresh squeezed lime juice.
- Top off with sparkling water.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish:
- Add a few more fresh mint leaves for a refreshing aroma.
- Garnish with another slice of lime.
- Use the Leftover Berry Solids:
- The leftover berry solids can be used in various ways. These are great when mixed into yogurt, added to smoothies, spread out onto toast, or used as a topping for oatmeal!
Enjoying Your Drink:
Take your drink to a peaceful spot, perhaps outside where you can connect with nature. Before taking your first sip, take a deep breath and reflect on the journey of each ingredient, from nature to your glass. Consider offering gratitude to the forces that brought these bounties to you. As you raise the drink to your lips, close your eyes, and savor the flavors of your first sip. Take your time to enjoy each drop, allowing yourself to be fully present and mindful.
Conclusion
Truly, Ribes divaricatum is a botanical virtuoso, blending utility and flavor in one spiny package. Coastal black gooseberries not only have a distinct, tart flavor that goes well with a variety of dishes, but they also provide insight into the region’s rich ethnobotanical history. Embrace the opportunity to connect with nature here on campus and take a moment to seek out this tart treasure throughout the abundance of wonders found in our Food Forest. It’s the perfect place to unwind and clear your mind; a serene sanctuary for relieving some stress and providing sustenance for our bodies and minds. Happy foraging, and may your quests be fruitful!
Sources:
BRIT – Native American Ethnobotany Database. (n.d.). http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Ribes+divaricatum
Coast Black gooseberry, Ribes divaricatum. (n.d.). Native Plants PNW. http://nativeplantspnw.com/coast-black-gooseberry-ribes-divaricatum/
Fretwell, K., & Starzomski, B. (2013). Wild gooseberry – Ribes divaricatum. Biodiversity of the Central Coast. https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/wild-gooseberry-bull-ribes-divaricatum.html
Plant names in Lushootseed | Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Culture Department. (n.d.). https://culture.snoqualmietribeweb.us/plant-names-in-lushootseed/
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