Part Two: How Viola Maina is turning gooseberries into wine, juice, jam and sauces
The packaging process:
Once gooseberries arrive from the farms, they undergo a step-by-step packaging process. The berries are weighed to get the exact kilos, which are then recorded. The farmer is also given an invoice. Thereafter, the berries are transferred to sorting tables, where casual workers sort them according to quality, based on market demands. Gooseberries with husks have a longer shelf life, while Grade A berries, which have no husks, are packed directly into 250-gramme punnets.
The overripe ones are sent for processing.
Delight Gooseberries processes 300kg to 500kg per day, producing an average of two tonnes per week. They also sell quality seeds to farmers and assist them in cultivation using the best practices, later buying back the produce.
Fresh gooseberries are packed into 250-gramme punnets, which are then labelled and batched to indicate their origin and farm. Excess and overripe berries are dried to prevent waste and extend their usability. This comprehensive approach ensures that every gooseberry is used efficiently, maintaining the highest standards of quality from farm to table.
Wine making:
Viola explains that this decision comes from a desire to make the most of every fruit, especially the cracked ones previously considered as waste. Instead of discarding them, Delight Gooseberries turns them into valuable wine.
One of the main benefits of winemaking is its longevity; wine improves with age.
The company conducts tests at every stage of development to ensure a superior final product, and they will seek certification from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) once these tests are complete.
Delight Gooseberries collaborates with a winemaking specialist, the University of Nairobi, and students from Egerton University, to perfect the process.
Currently, they are producing a dry wine, which becomes clearer and more appealing as it matures. They are also looking to produce a sweet one and a semi-sweet variety. Viola explains that the level of sugar determines if the wine will be dry or sweet.
Marketing
Delight Gooseberries is not only innovating in product development but also making significant strides in marketing. Viola explains that their products are available countrywide through major distributors like Naivas, and other food industries that purchase in bulk for jam production and export.
The company is actively exploring international markets, recently receiving an order for 288 boxes of fresh gooseberries destined for the Asian market. The demand in Asia is high because, while they typically source their berries from Colombia, Kenya’s proximity offers a logistical advantage.
There’s also potential in other African countries, with clients seeking plant-based, healthy products. Delight Gooseberries aims to meet this demand, positioning itself as a leader in providing high-quality, nutritious options to a global audience.
Nutritional value
Gooseberries are gaining recognition as a functional food, offering health benefits beyond basic nutrition. With consumers becoming more health-conscious, the demand for plant-based, nutritious ingredients like gooseberries is on the rise.
These berries are exceptionally high in vitamins A and C, both crucial for maintaining good health. Their rich antioxidant content helps the body minimise the risk of cancer and high blood pressure. Additionally, gooseberries are an excellent source of dietary fiber, promoting better digestion and aiding in weight loss. Their low sugar levels make them an ideal choice for diabetic individuals.
As people increasingly incorporate gooseberries into their diets, their status as a nutritional fruit continues to grow, making them a go-to ingredient for health-conscious consumers.
CONCLUSION:
Gooseberries are more affordable than strawberries, and much easier to grow without the need for chemicals, making them a natural and sustainable choice. They are pest-resistant and suitable for crop rotation since they don’t require artificial or non-organic manure. Instead, farmers use compost manure, a practice encouraged and taught by Delight Gooseberries. Farmers are trained to return substandard harvests to compost and enrich the soil.
Viola’s fruits are 100 percent organic. Delight Gooseberries is currently pursuing certification, a process that takes one to three years, and is already underway. This dedication to organic and sustainable farming ensures that gooseberries remain a highly nutritious and environmentally-friendly crop.
Read part one here