My Berries Are Made of Gold

They are called gooseberries when they're fresh and golden berries (or sometimes Incan Berries) when they're dried. I like them for five reasons:

1. They match my walls.

2. The dried version is so tangy-sweet that it is a total health party in my mouth.

3. They kind of look like shriveled testicles.

4. They are an amazing super-powered super fruit.

5. They're like exotic raisins.

Let's focus on number 3 for a minute here. Now this is not a totally random association. See, I love the way these taste when they are dried. They are a whole other mouthful when fresh. I promise you, I was not the first to make this association, I won't be the last and because this is Making Love In The Kitchen, I am going to go there: fresh gooseberries taste like spooge... uh... or so I've been told.

Moving right along to points 1, 2, 4 and 5.

1. See! That would be my golden berry coloured wall!
2. Well 2 sort of speaks for itself. You have to taste them to get this one.
4.  The health benefits are amazing:

• Traditionally golden berries have been used to help ailments including, asthma, edema, optic nerve disorders, throat afflictions, intestinal parasites, and amoebic dysentery.And who doesn't like a tasty cure for amoebic dysentery!
• A superior source of bioflavanoids (sometimes called vitamin P- but I think that's silly).
• They rich in pectin which is a fantabulous form of soluble fibre that helps move poop out while nourishing the cells of the intestinal tract
• About a gazillion studies on bioflavonoids have shown that they possess antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine and antioxidant activities.  This means they could basically help remedy any ailment in the body. (Psst- did you see that bit about anti-viral? Hello H1N1)
• They are high in phosphorous, vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B6 and B12.
• They are also extremely high in protein (16%) for a fruit.

5. This makes you look and feel exotic when you eat them so that's kinda fun.

I enjoy my golden berries blended into smoothies (of course) or I'll soak about half a dozen and plop them into my oatmeal. I am sure you are getting by now that I put absolutely everything into my smoothies and oatmeal. Just such an easy way to get oodles of powerful foods.

My very favourite way to eat these goodies is to drop them into a cup of hot green tea. By the time I am done my tea, they are all rehydrated, have lent some of their flavour to the tea and are just amazing flavour explosions.

This is why my berries are made of gold.

Now if you want to buy some, might I recommend this amazing supplier of all great things raw and healthy.