Cranberries – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are cranberries?

Cranberries are small red berries in the same family as blueberries and huckleberries. When fresh, cranberries are pretty tart instead of sweet like most berries. Since this is the case, most people do not eat them raw. The main ways people consume cranberries are either cranberry juice or dried cranberries, which are sweetened to cover up the tartness. The most prominent application of freshly cooked cranberries is cranberry sauce, a well-known Thanksgiving side dish. 

Where did cranberries originate from?

Cranberries are native to northeastern North America, primarily in the swampy areas of New England and Michigan. These swamps were carved by glaciers that left behind a peat gravel-based soil where cranberry vines could thrive. They were used by Native Americans as both food and medicine but were eventually cultivated by Captain Henry Hall in 1816 in Cape Cod. A different species of cranberry can be found in parts of Europe and Asia as well.

What is the nutritional value of cranberries?

Cranberries pack a punch of vitamins and nutrients. One cup of chopped fresh cranberries contains the following:

• 46 calories
• 12g of carbohydrates
• 4g of fiber
• 4g of sugar
• 1g of protein
• 0g of fat
• 25% of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C
• 16% of the DV of manganese
• 9% of the DV of vitamin A
• 8% of the DV of vitamin B
• 8% of the DV of vitamin E
• 7% of the DV of copper
• 6% of the DV of vitamin K

Cranberries also contain five different antioxidants. In particular, cranberries contain the highest level of phenol among all other fruits. There are also high levels of anthocyanins, which give the cranberries their signature dark red color.

How are cranberries grown?

Cranberries require a particular environment to grow in. Thus they are harder to cultivate than other berries. Since they are naturally found in and around bogs and marshes carved by glaciers, these areas have to be mimicked. 

Sand, peat, gravel, and clay are layered in ditches that can easily be flooded. This soil must be very acidic for the cranberry vines to thrive. Once the vines are established, they are first flooded in the winter so that ice protects the flowers of the plants from the cold. The fields are then drained once spring arrives, allowing the cranberries to grow and eventually flower. 

Once the berries are ripe and ready to be harvested, the fields are flooded again. Next, a machine that looks like a lawnmower with whisks is driven through the fields to shake the vines and remove the berries. The berries are buoyant and then can be raked from the surface of the pond into nets. This method is primarily used for berries that are going to be turned into juice or sauce. If the berries are sold fresh, they are harvested without the second flooding, so they are not damaged by the machinery. 

The cranberry plants can reach a length of 6ft and live indefinitely. Some of the vines in Cape Cod can be traced back to the original plantings over 200 years ago. 

When are cranberries in season?

The cranberry harvest begins in the United States in the middle of September and runs until around the middle of November. Because they’re harvested in the height of fall, they are a typical Thanksgiving dish. Nowadays, they can be found at the grocery store at all times due to overlapping harvest seasons in Chile and Asia.

What should I look for when buying cranberries?

When you buy fresh cranberries, you want to find berries that have a deep red color and are still nice and firm and shiny. Separate these from the berries that show signs of bruising, have a brown color, or are mushy. If you live in a region they are harvested, you may pick individual berries at a farmer’s market. 

Grab it now on Instacart:

Southern Grove Dried Cranberries (6 oz bag)

Cranberries Package (15.2 oz)

Cranberries (12 oz bag)

Cranberries (11 oz)

Cherries (1 lb bag)

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for cranberries via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for cranberries.

How to store cranberries

If you purchased cranberries in a plastic zip-top bag, put them in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer after a quick rinse. If you bought loose cranberries, put them in an airtight container or zip-top bag before putting them in the fridge to help them last longer. They like to be cold and dry so that they will last longer in that environment.

If you know you aren’t going to use all of your cranberries, they can be frozen for up to a year and still retain their freshness. When freezing them, use either a vacuum bag or get as much air as possible out of a zip-top freezer bag, just like freezing any fresh produce. 

How to tell if cranberries are bad

When cranberries go bad, they start to lose their deep red color and firm texture. You will find that they begin to turn brown in spots and become soft and mushy. When they reach this stage, it is time to get rid of them.

What can I substitute for cranberries?

While cranberries do not have a direct substitute, some berries can take their place. Tart cherry varieties such as Morello or Montmorency are the closest match. Otherwise, try lingonberries, red currants, or even blueberries in a pinch. 

How to find cranberries

Cranberries add a unique tartness to dishes that is hard to find in other berries. If you don’t have any cranberries on hand, you can easily find them at the grocery store or have fresh fruit delivered the same day with Instacart. Try a new recipe featuring cranberries today!

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