Cranberries - tasty and tart

 

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.

More info here >>

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!

Cranberries in a bin.
Cranberry harvest with machine.
Cranberries Westland farm from above
Cranberries Westland farm from above