This month we turn our attention to a fruit that has a somewhat ‘down at heel’ reputation – the gooseberry. It tends to be considered a basic, utilitarian fruit, good for pie fillings perhaps or for growing in a tricky site where other fruits may struggle but certainly lacking the allure of some other summer fruits.
There is a persistent notion that a gooseberry is only a substitute for something better, or just fit for the kitchen. This may be rooted in snobbery – there was a long tradition in the 18000s of competitive gooseberry growing in n the Midlands and the North among the working class, whereas the upper classes would grow grapes and even pineapples to show off their affluence.
Or it may just be that gooseberries are often picked, sold, or scrumped as undderripe fruit, so they have a
