All About Ground Cherries: A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever had these delicious fruits called ground cherries? If not, they are worth trying. This year I sold ground cherries, as they are more commonly known, at my local farmer’s markets. Most people had never heard of it before. I began researching it and made a blog post about this fantastic fruit.
According to recent research, ground cherries, a lesser-known fruit, are worth trying. While many may not have heard of this fruit before, it has been gaining popularity in local farmer’s markets. A recent blogger who sold ground cherries at these markets decided to research and write about this fantastic fruit in a blog post.
Through their research, they discovered the unique taste and nutritional benefits of ground cherries. In this article, we will explore the history of ground cherries, their nutritional value, and different ways to enjoy this delicious fruit. Whether you are a seasoned fruit enthusiast or a curious foodie, this article will provide valuable information about this lesser-known fruit.
What are ground cherries?
Ground cherries, also known as Cape gooseberry, Inca berry, Aztec berry, Goldenberry, Giant ground cherry, Peruvian ground cherry, Peruvian cherry, Pok Pok, Poha, Aguaymanto, Uvilla, Uchuva, and Harankash, are small, round fruits that are closely related to the tomatillo and Chinese lantern.
They belong to the nightshade family and are distantly related to other members of the family, such as the tomato, eggplant, and potato. Ground cherries are native to South America but are now grown in many parts of the world, including the United States and Europe.
They are typically eaten raw and have a sweet and tart flavor with a texture similar to that of a tomato. Ground cherries are also used in jams, pies, and other desserts.
What do ground cherries look like?
Ground cherries have a unique appearance that sets them apart from other fruits. They are small, round, and have a diameter of 1-2 cm. Their outer skin is a papery husk that encloses the fruit, which looks like a small orange pearl. This fruit is not related to the cherry or gooseberry family and is grown in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates all over the world.
What Ground Cherries Taste Like
Ground cherries have a sweet and slightly tart taste with an earthy undertone. They are often compared to the flavors of pineapple, strawberries, mango, or citrus fruits.
Ground Cherries Nutritions
Ground cherries are a rich source of various essential nutrients that are crucial for maintaining good health. These fruits are high in vitamins A, C, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin, as well as calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, bioflavonoids, protein, and fiber.
Vitamin A is essential for vision, normal cell growth and development, and reproductive systems. It also helps the immune and inflammatory systems to work correctly. Vitamin C is essential to the immune system and acts as an antioxidant, preventing damage or death of cells. It is also a natural antihistamine and reduces the chance of stroke, while protecting against Parkinson’s disease.
Thiamin, also known as B1, helps protect the nerves, is great for mental health, and essential to metabolism, especially with carbohydrates. It also lowers the chance of cataracts. Riboflavin, also known as B2, is necessary for iron metabolism, prevents headaches/migraines, and maintains other B vitamins. Niacin, also known as B3, raises HDL (good) cholesterol levels, helps cardiac health, and is good for treating depression, senility, and memory loss. It also improves joint flexibility and relieves pain and swelling due to arthritis.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, helps children to develop properly, improves mental health, and may even stop Alzheimer’s disease if caught early on. It reduces the risk of pernicious anemia and helps with cell renewal, keeping you young and fresh.
In summary, ground cherries are a nutrient-dense fruit that can provide numerous health benefits due to their rich nutritional content.
More Nutritional Benefits
Ground cherries are not only packed with vitamins and minerals, but they also offer several other nutritional benefits. With only 53 calories and 1 gram of fat per 3.5 oz serving, ground cherries are an excellent option for those looking to lose weight. The high fiber content in ground cherries helps to keep you feeling full for longer periods, which can prevent overeating.
Ground cherries have no sodium and a low glycemic index score, making them an ideal choice for individuals with high blood pressure or diabetes. Additionally, the high amount of pectin in ground cherries aids in calcium absorption, which is essential for strong bones.
Furthermore, ground cherries contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to protect cells and inhibit cancer, particularly lung, colon, and liver varieties. They are also a diuretic and can be used to aid fluid retention and other such issues. Overall, ground cherries are an excellent addition to any diet, providing numerous health benefits. Read More.
Health Benefits of Husk Berries
Husk berries, also known as ground cherries, have been used in traditional herbal medicine to treat various ailments such as asthma, dermatitis, hepatitis, malaria, and rheumatism. This berry contains melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep, prevents migraines, and protects against degenerative diseases and reproductive organ cancers.
Including husk berries in your diet is easy and can be done in various ways. It can be added to salads, canned, made into jams or sauces, or dried and eaten like raisins. Due to its high pectin content, it makes a great addition to pies and tarts. Crushed husk berries can also be added to ice cream for a unique flavor combination.
Husk berries can be used to make salsa, cake, or added to cereal. They can also be eaten as is, and their sweet taste can be enhanced by pricking the skin and rolling them in sugar. With so many ways to enjoy this wonderful berry, it’s no wonder it’s becoming increasingly popular in the culinary world. Check out my Cranberry Ground Cherry Sauce.
More Exotic Fruits
The Amazing Benefits Of Lemons
These fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are beneficial to the body.
Noni, for example, is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Yellow Dragon Fruit is a good source of fiber and vitamin C, while Tuna Fruit is packed with vitamins A and C. White Guava is rich in vitamin C and potassium, while Calamansi is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Black Sapote is high in vitamin C and fiber, while Tamarind is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Lastly, Yellow Guava is packed with vitamin C and fiber.
Incorporating these exotic fruits into your diet can provide a variety of health benefits and add excitement to your meals.
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Alora Odom
Thank you for sharing this information
I have CKD stage 4. And need to know exactly how much potassium is in 1 cup raw ground cherries please.
Barbara thank you for your question, I have been asked to develop recipes for people with CKD stage 4 and lately I have been thinking more about it. 1 cup of raw ground cherries contain 292.65 mgs of potassium.
My real question is, what does anyone use to strain the seeds if they want to make ground cherry jam or jelly without seeds? My gut doesn’t tolerate the seeds, but I have many, many quarts of ground cherries sitting here waiting to be used for something. The good thing is, the longer you leave them in their little paper husks, the more golden they get and sweeter, too.
I have several volunteer plants (Minnesota) but NONE of the unopened husks have berries in them! What do you think happened? We planted last year, then husband pulled it up and threw it onto another spot. I have always liked ground cherries, since I was a little girl, but tend to forget about them each “garden planting season”. Hard to find the plants in nurseries!