The Chinese lantern fruit is a sweet-and-sour berry that looks like a small lantern, tasty and easy to grow

The Chinese lantern fruit is the fruit produced by plants of the genus Physalis in the nightshade family, and in the market it is often also called goldenberry or lantern fruit. Its most striking feature is the papery husk covering the fruit, which from a distance looks like rows of little lanterns; peel away this husk and inside is the round yellow or orange little berry. The name Chinese lantern fruit is also often thought to come from the way the husk lightly wraps the fruit like a half-open bud.

In terms of taste, the flesh of the Chinese lantern fruit is tender, and its juice is sweet with a touch of sourness. It can be eaten directly as a fruit, or made into jam or candied fruit. In gardening terms, the plant is not especially tall, bears small yellow flowers, and after fruiting the strings of little lanterns are quite ornamental, making it suitable for planting in a courtyard or on a balcony.

Growing the Chinese lantern fruit is not particularly difficult. It likes a warm environment with plenty of light and is suited to loose, well-drained soil. It is generally sown in spring after the weather warms up; during the growing period keep moisture balanced and avoid waterlogging, and after fruiting pay attention to ventilation and light, harvesting once the fruit ripens and the husk dries and turns pale.

One thing to note is that unripe green fruits and some ornamental-only varieties may contain irritating substances and are not suitable for eating, so before picking, make sure you have identified an edible variety. People with weak digestion should also not eat too many at one time; enjoying them in moderation lets you better appreciate the unique flavor of this little fruit.