Botanical Name: Vaccinium oxycoccos
Specimens From: USA
Cranberries are grown in the wild throughout the cooler countries of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a major commercial fruit in the States and Canada and also popular in Northern Europe. It is considered as a 'must have' in every thanksgiving and winter holidays.
The name 'cran' is a shortened word for the bird species, crane. The early settlers felt that the plant looks similar to the long neck, head and bill of the crane.
These little berries are white when young but will turn dark red when it ripens. The inside flesh still remains white with tinges of red. There are several small seeds found inside but all are edible. Only those fresh cranberries bounce. Discard those that don't as they may have turned bad.
Cranberries are way too acidic to eat it raw, on its own. I would prefer to mix it with any other jams to sweeten it, instead of simply adding pure sugar.
Dried Cranberries |
Most cranberries are processed into sauce, juice and dried, leaving only a smaller percentage for the fresh market. It is considered as a superfruit due to the high nutrient and antioxidant content.
Cranberry; Cranberries; Vaccinium oxycoccos; Ericaceae
Other fruit in the same family: Blueberry
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We have them in Norway too of course, but mountain cranberry (or: cowberry, foxberry anf red whortleberry) are more common.
ReplyDeleteI love it as jam - a must together with Norwegian Christmas food :-)
Love cranberries!
ReplyDeletelove em! thanks!
ReplyDeleteGood to read cranberry article, cranberries are tasty and do have so many health benefits.
ReplyDeleteWe have them in Sweden too. They are valued for their ability to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
ReplyDeleteFruity, no wonder cranberries are good for the bladder. The scientific name sounds like a perscription. :D
ReplyDeleteI loooooove cranberries at Thanksgiving. They make the meal.
Great post and photos!!!
Hugs, JJ
I love cranberries and we can usually find them near the forest at my father's house.
ReplyDeleteHey hey hey, something very familiar. I love cranberry juice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Anna :)
Just dropping by to wish you happy holidays and happy healthy fruity blogging in 2009! Cheers, Anna :)
ReplyDeleteI just plant a new Nectarine tree named `Western Pride`, you can see it at my blog
ReplyDeletehttp://vuejardin.blogspot.com/
Iwould love to have cranberry as I can have it with jam my lovely eatable.
ReplyDeletesuman
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Love your site and how in depth you go with. I've always loved cranberries and this has really given me a whole new perspective on them.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I love Cranberry specialy in mocktails.
ReplyDeleteRohan
''bpo solution''
Does anyone know if there is any type of cranberry substitute available in India?
ReplyDeleteWhat a blog! Just found you.
ReplyDelete