Amla vs. Gooseberry — What's the Difference?

Known for its high vitamin C content.

Can be green, red, or purple in color.

Integral to Ayurvedic medicine.

Grows on a bush in cool climates.

Grows on a deciduous tree native to India.

Used both raw and cooked.

Consumed in various forms, including raw, juice, or powder.

A small, tart berry often used in desserts.

A sour and bitter fruit used primarily for its health benefits.

Popular in jams and preserves.

See Indian gooseberry.

Gooseberry ( or (American and northern British) or (southern British)), is a common name for many species of Ribes (which also includes currants), as well as a large number of plants of similar appearance. The berries of those in the genus Ribes (sometimes placed in the genus Grossularia) are edible and may be green, red, purple, yellow, white, or black.

Phyllanthus emblica, a deciduous tree.

Any of several spiny shrubs of the genus Ribes, especially R. uva-crispa of Eurasia, having lobed leaves, greenish flowers, and edible greenish to yellow or red berries.

The bitter yellow-green fruit of this tree.

The fruit of any of these plants.

Any of several plants bearing similar fruit.

A fruit of species Ribes uva-crispa, related to the currant.

Any other plant or fruit in the subgenus Grossularia, distinguished from currants by bearing spines, including Ribes hirtellum (American gooseberry).

Any of several other plants that are not closely related but bear fruit in some way similar:

Chinese gooseberry or kiwifruit, the edible berry of a cultivar group of the woody vine Actinidia deliciosa and hybrids between this and other species in the genus Actinidia

Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), emblic, amla.

Ceylon gooseberry, a species of Dovyalis native to Sri Lanka and southern India

(Pereskia aculeata), an unusual cactus

Or shiny locustberry (Byrsonima lucida)

(Phyllanthus acuminatus), a herb-like plant

Physalis angulata, also called balloon cherry and cutleaf groundcherry

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana), indigenous to South America

(Withania somnifera)

A chaperone.

An additional person who is neither necessary nor wanted in a given situation.

A fool.

A fantastic story; a tall tale; a hoax.

A testicle.

Any thorny shrub of the genus Ribes; also, the edible berries of such shrub. There are several species, of which Ribes Grossularia is the one commonly cultivated.

A silly person; a goose cap.

Spiny Eurasian shrub having greenish purple-tinged flowers and ovoid yellow-green or red-purple berries

Currant-like berry used primarily in jams and jellies

Amla is rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, and is used to enhance digestion and immunity.

Amla is primarily sour and bitter, while gooseberries range from sour to sweet.

Amla is often used in health-oriented products, while gooseberries are common in desserts and jams.

Amla grows on a large tree in subtropical climates, whereas gooseberries grow on bushes in temperate regions.

The stems and leaves of gooseberry bushes can be toxic and should not be eaten.

Amla can be stored dried or powdered, and kept in a cool, dry place to preserve its nutrients.

Gooseberries generally prefer cooler, temperate climates and do not thrive in tropical conditions.

Yes, gooseberries are high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them beneficial for health.

A cool, temperate climate is ideal for growing gooseberries.

Not all; some varieties, especially when fully ripe, can be quite sweet.

Due to their different flavor profiles, they are not typically interchangeable in recipes.

Amla enhances flavor in pickles, chutneys, and nutritional powders.

Amla is believed to balance all three doshas (body energies: Vata, Pitta, Kapha) in Ayurveda, promoting overall health.

Yes, but due to its sour and bitter taste, it is often consumed in processed forms like pickles or juice.

Gooseberries can be preserved by making them into jams, jellies, or freezing them for later use.