Ribes uva-crispa 'Tatjana'

The 'Tatjana' Gooseberry Bush is characterized by a strong, regular and consistent production and an excellent resistance to fungal diseases, especially powdery mildew, which is common in this small fruit bush. Its compact habit comprises numerous erect and spreading branches, almost inermous (without thorns), bearing deciduous foliage of a beautiful, intense green. In April-May, the relatively insignificant flowers attract bees, bumblebees and hoverflies, contributing to pollination and fertilization of the garden's flowers. In midsummer, the fruits are a gustatory pleasure while providing numerous nutritional benefits. Sweet and slightly acidic, Tatjana gooseberries are an excellent alternative to green gooseberries, which often taste more acidic. Indeed, they are delicious to enjoy as they are but also to integrate into salads or savoury dishes, adding a sweet and subtly acidic touch to each preparation. They are a healthy and straightforward alternative to enhance desserts. For a good yield, this variety should be planted in moist, well-drained, fertile, and loose soil in a sunny or partially shaded location.

The Gooseberry Bush, in Latin Ribes grossularia var. uva-crispa, also called Spiny Gooseberry or Curly Grape belongs to the family Grossulariaceae, like the Red Currants (Ribes rubrum) and Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum). The name Gooseberry Bush comes from the English, who have used this gooseberry for a long time to make a sweet and sour sauce to accompany mackerel. Cultivated in northern Europe since the 16th century, the Gooseberry Bush is a fertile hybrid resulting from cross-breeding two species native to Europe and North Africa, still spontaneous in mountain forests in Scotland, France and the Caucasus.

The Ribes uva-crispa 'Tatjana' is a robust, hardy and vigorous variety with excellent adaptability to cold and harsh winters. It forms a bushy bush, relatively sparsely thorny, with a tufted habit of slightly stiff, branched and spreading branches. This very hardy bush will reach 1 m (3ft) in height with a spread of 80 cm (32in). The foliage is deciduous, composed of palmate, lobed, and aromatic leaves, and is medium green. This bush resembles classic gooseberries but differs mainly in the fruits: larger, with a sweet flavour, they appear solitary along the branches, unlike cluster gooseberries. Flowering occurs in spring in clusters of small greenish flowers, relatively insignificant but intensely visited by bees. Fruiting occurs more on one and two-year-old branches. An early variety, harvesting begins in early July and extends throughout the month. The bush is then covered with berries, round to oval, with slightly hairy skin, 1.3 cm (1in) in diameter, distributed along the branches. At maturity, the gooseberries turn green and somewhat yellowish, filled with translucent, juicy, fruity, sweet, and acidic pulp containing tiny seeds.

The 'Tatjana' Gooseberry Bush is self-fertile, so it does not need a companion to fruit, but the presence of another variety nearby will increase production. Harvesting is done as the fruits ripen. It is straightforward due to the size of the berries. The production of a gooseberry bush is about 3 to 4 kg of fruit per plant, depending on the age and growing conditions of the plant. The fruits are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, trace elements, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.

Moreover, their low sugar content classifies them among the least energetic small fruits (50 kcal per 100 g). The fruit is purifying for the body thanks to its diuretic, digestive, liver decongestant and laxative properties, provided it is consumed when barely ripe. Picked from the bush, they are exquisite to enjoy fresh, and for more indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a bit of granulated sugar. In cooking, to attenuate the acidity of the fruits, it is possible to blanch them for one minute and then cool them under cold water. Excellent in jellies or jams, they can also be used to garnish pies and make cakes. They will be perfect for making syrups, sorbets, ice creams or desserts. The subtle balance between the aromas and acidity of the fruits offers an interesting use to accompany meats (game, poultry, ...), fatty fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna, ...) or as a garnish for salads.

The Tatjana Gooseberry Bush is an excellent option to delight your taste buds in summer. Its fruit is straightforward to pick, as it is large, and the plant has almost no thorns. To enjoy its flavour, you can plant it alone or with other varieties of small fruits. It is recommended to alternate species and varieties to limit the risk of diseases and promote pollination. It is also possible to grow it in a pot, provided you choose a container at least 40 cm (16in) in height and water regularly with non-limestone water. An edible hedgerow made up of gooseberry bush and other small fruit varieties will ensure you get to enjoy a delicious feast of fruit.