http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UILWW 21 August 2008 American Gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum) Last picking The berries are strongly connected to the stem, and don't fall when ripe. Taste is sweet, and no difficulty eating raw, and probably comparable to many types of table grapes. http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LBTCR 2008 Growing Experience.