The Lancashire Lad Gooseberry is an old English variety of gooseberry (ribes). It is believed to have been introduced in 1824, in Lancashire as its name suggests. It was once a highly appreciated and widely known fruit. However, with the passing of time, the fruit slowly started to lose its popularity. The Lancashire Lad Gooseberry fell out of favour due to the common disease called American Powdery Mildew and the labour-intensive nature of the crop; the fruit must be harvested by hand. Today, the Lancashire Lad Gooseberry is found at local specialised orchards or in private gardens.
The Lancashire Lad Gooseberry is said to be the finest in appearance. They are medium to large oval-shaped fruit with an excellent, slightly sour flavour. When ripe in late July, the berries become deep red in color. They should be grown in a sunny location and flourish in many kinds of soil.
Lancashire Lad Gooseberries are preserved in jams, and are used as an ingredient in desserts such as pies, fools and crumbles. They are also served as a garnish for meat and fish dishes.
