Physalis berries (also known as Cape Gooseberries) come wrapped in their own little papery husks, and the berries themselves have a natural waxy coating for protection. While that wax isn’t toxic, it can have a slightly bitter taste or a sticky texture that most people find unpleasant. That’s why giving them a quick wash is always a good idea!
Prepping Your Physalis
The ripe berry grows inside a delicate, balloon-like husk formed by the plant’s sepals. These start out tiny during the flowering stage and eventually grow to completely enclose the fruit. Once the Physalis is ripe, you can easily peel back these husks to reveal the golden berry inside.
If you’re using the berries for cooking or baking, go ahead and remove the husks entirely. Just fold the leaves back and give them a gentle twist to pop the berry loose. However, if you’re using them as a garnish for cocktails or fancy desserts, leave the husks attached! Just peel the “petals” back to frame the fruit—it makes for a much more impressive presentation on the plate or glass.
How to Wash Physalis
Pro tip: Wait to wash your berries until right before you’re ready to eat them; they’ll stay fresh much longer that way. If you’re keeping the husks on for decoration, hold the fruit by the stem or the leaves and rinse the berry under lukewarm running water. You only need to wash the husks if they look visibly dusty or dirty.
If you’re prepping a big batch for a recipe and have already removed the husks, just toss the berries into a colander. Run them under lukewarm water, tossing them gently so every side gets cleaned.
Whatever you do, skip the veggie brushes or scrubbers! The skin is delicate, and scrubbing will bruise the fruit or cause the juice to leak out. If you run into a stubborn spot of dirt that won’t rinse off, just use a soft kitchen towel to gently pat or rub it away.
Drying Your Berries
Once they’re clean, you’ll want to dry your Physalis properly. Spread them out in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel or a wire cooling rack. Making sure they aren’t piled on top of each other helps them air-dry much faster.
If you’re in a hurry to use them, you can set them in a sunny spot to speed things up. Just keep in mind that using heat or sun to dry them can shorten their shelf life, so plan on eating or cooking with them right away!
