Everyone's Going Crazy for Golden Berries But What Are They?

 

So here at The Supp Plugg we typically try, review and write about Vitamins and Supplements as well as Energy Drinks and Functional Foods, but we rarely talk about actual food food. We all know that real whole foods is what we should be eating, and that supplements are intended to be just what the name implies, supplementation, so I wanted to occasionally talk about new and interesting fruits and vegetables that you may not have tried. On a recent shopping trip to Aldi, in the produce section I noticed these bright yellow/orange berries or tomatos I'd never seen before and they caught my eye. Upon taking a closer look I noticed they were called Golden Berries or Goose Berries and I immediately knew I had to try them. After having done a bit more reading up on them it seems that searches for Gooseberries or Golden Berries are surging and there's a lot of recent Youtube Videos and Blog Posts with people sharing their recently discovered Goldenberry treasures. 

What Are Golden Berries?

Golden Berries are also known as Cape Gooseberries and they are a yellow or golden colored fruit that is closely related to Tomatillos. Having talked to some friends about these a lot of their responses were "But I don't like Tomatos", however even if your one of the many out there who doesn't like Tomatos Golden Berries are not like your typical tomato, while it does share a similar texture and appearance to a cherry tomato, it actually tastes more like a Tangerine or a Grapefruit than any tomato I've ever tried. 

Golden Berries are native to Peru and Chile, however today they are grown all across South and Central America as well as in South Africa and Australia, the Golden Berries I picked up from Aldi come from Columbia. 

While the Golden Berries you see pictured above in this article look like golden cherry tomatos, they actually come in a paper like shell or husk similar to that of a tomatillo and need to be picked out, the ones I purchased from Aldi however were already husked. 

Golden Berries are a healthy snack, they're packed with nutrients and per cup provide about 74 calories along with fiber, protein, and an assortment of vitamins and minerals, specifically high amounts of beta carotene and Vitamin K. In terms of health benefits they're high in antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties and help to boost bone health as well as better vision due to the beta carotene.

What Do Golden Berries Taste Like

So when I purchased my Golden Berries I had no idea what to expect, the packaging states that they are tangy, tropical and sweet, though due to the appearance I was expecting somewhat of a tomato taste. I was shocked when I bit into my first Golden Berry. The texture is similar to that of a cherry tomato, not a super juicy cherry tomato but more so a soft and fleshy one, something like a Midnight Snack Tomato if you're familiar with those. In terms of the taste the most overwhelming aspect of the flavor is that of a citrus fruit, personally I got a very strong tangerine flavor with a hint of grapefruit, and maybe just a very slight flavor of a green tomato, although that may have only been present in specific berries which hadn't 100% ripened. Golden Berries are both sweet, tart, and citrussy all at the same time, it's one of the more unique fruits I've ever tried and I'd urge people to give them a try, even if you're one of these people who claim to not like tomatoes, I think you'll be surprised by them. 

Where to Buy Golden Berries and How to Eat Golden Berries?

Okay so lastly where to buy them and how to eat them. If you want fresh Golden Berries it seems Aldi stores around the country have a good supply of them right now, short of Aldi I'm not sure where to get them as I've never seen them in grocery stores in the past. If you have a grocery store near you that's known for having a wide selection of good produce that may be worth checking as well. If you don't mind your Golden Berries being dried there's a lot of vendors selling dried Golden Berries on Amazon and you should be able to find a bag for around $15 bucks. 

In terms of how to eat Goldenberries it seems to make the most sense to eat them raw as a snack, though they would also make a great salad topping, you could blend them into a smoothie, and some people even bake with them or include them in jams.

If this post intrigues you to try Golden Berries take a drive over to your local Aldi and you'll likely find them in stock.