We’re busy growing North American Cranberries!
These are low growing creeping vines ( we think they look a little like thyme) which produce red berries that are much larger than the leaves of the plant. It takes about 5 years for the cranberry beds to become fully fruiting and harvestable. When established they will fruit for hundreds of years.
The fruit is tart. Cranberries are naturally tart- about 4% sugar. When you buy trail mix or juice, check the sugar content. Its often 50% or more.
When using cranberries its best to add them to naturally sweet fruit or add honey, stevia or sugar to taste. When baking they work really well as a complement to sweetness- have a look at our recipe page and try cranberries in smoothies, cookies or muffins- yummy!
Cranberries are good for you.
Cranberries are a healthy food, due to their high nutrient and an antioxidant content. They are often referred to as a “super food.” Half a cup of cranberries contains only 25 calories.
The nutrients in cranberries have been linked to a lower risk of urinary tract infections, improved immune function, and decreased blood pressure.
When is a cranberry not a cranberry?
Sweet Cranberries and the Chilean Guava.
If you have a bush of sweet cranberries, they are probably not cranberries but Chilean Guavas. Marketed in New Zealand as ‘NZ Cranberries’ Cranberries are Vaccinium Macrocarpon and Chilean Guavas are Myrtus ugni/Ugni molinae – should you wish to find out more.
Whichever you are eating – and we sure hope it is our genuine cranberries – Enjoy!
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CRANBERRIES WESTLAND
1218 OLD CHRISTCHURCH ROAD,
RD2, HOKITIKA, 7882
(03) 755 6883 OR (021) 252 8361 (KATE)