Cranberries are small red berries found in low bush in North America, Europe and some parts of Asia. Regarded as having a sharp taste they have antioxidant compounds, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. Raw cranberries are perhaps best known as an ingredient in juices, sauces, dried fruit and snack food, and jams. Because of their acidic nature, most are not consumed raw in large amounts but their uses include – such asset for supporting urine health and immune system. The fruit grows in the soils that are acidic or marsh land, the fruit is harvested in the fall. Cranberries also have other uses in traditional medicine and there’s a lot that’s said about them including their ability to help combat urinary tract infections.
Origen of cranberries:
Wild cranberries are produced in North America since time immemorial though the crop was later domesticated. It is important to point out that the first nations of the region were already using cranberries in their diet as well as medicine. Both the berries as well as the leaves were used for their nutritional value, by adding it to meat or fish, and for medicinal value. Cranberries are assumed to have been discovered by early European settlers from the native population and were Introduced to cultivation in the seventeenth century. Today, cranberries are cultivated in areas with acidic loans, sandy loams very commonly in northeastern US, Canada and few European countries. They are indigenous to the New World and have been commercially grown in the United States since the nineteenth century and are now firmly entrenched as an important food crop both as fresh fruit and processed.
Varieties of cranberries:
Commercial crops of the cranberry include the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and the European cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) this is because there are several varieties of cranberries grown, each of which can possess different characteristics. The American cranberry or, more particularly, the large cranberry is the most widely cultivated type nowadays owing to its size, sharp taste, and increased productivity. There is a variety of cultivars of the American cranberries among which there are: Early Black, which ripens earlier than others; Stevens, which yields large berries and which is more resistant to diseases. Aquitaine small cranberry or Moss cranberry is smaller in size with small berries carrying a strong cranberry taste and relatively less in commercial production. There are others that are grown for certain characteristics that are associated with them such as the Pilgrim and Ben Lear potatoes. Every variety has its own requirements of the environmental conditions it enjoys in the course of its growth which determines taste, color and fitness of the crop
Nutrition value of cranberries:
Cranberries are highly nutritional fruits containing a rich number of vitamins, minerals and antioxidant components. They are particularly rich in vitamin C nutrient that helps support the immune system and contribute to skins health. It has a low amount of calories, a cup of fresh cranberries contains approximately 50 calories and it’s also a good source of dietary fiber containing about 4grams per cup. It also contains a very low amount of sugar, which makes it a useful food for people with diabetes. Cranberries have minute quantities of essential micronutrients such as manganese, copper, and potassium; its properties for preventing bacteria from flooring the walls of the urinary system organs make cranberries good for the urinary systems.
Characteristics of cranberries:
Cranberries are small, round berries that are generally red in color, and have a slippery, skin like texture that doesn’t ripen. They have a sharp taste; when taken raw they often contain a very sour taste making them rare to find in their raw form. They belong to the trailing plant that grows in parts of the shade, acidic, sandy, and wet areas, and marsh bog areas. Cranberries are categorized in the group of plants known as perennials, which means the fruiting plants grow and bear fruit from the same root each year. The fruit that is produced is a small, round, and hard drupe with juicy, edible pulp and relatively many small seeds. Cranberries are best harvested in the later months of the fall when maturation is at its best; and because they can be easily detached from their branches, they can either be hand-picked or harvested mechanically. Besides, they are consumed for their health benefits especially in the prevention of urinary tract infection due to some chemicals that inhibit the bonding of bacteria to the walls of the urinary tracts
Health benefit of cranberries:
Cranberries serve many nutritional benefits and can be incorporated directly to the daily meal plans. The most often cited advantage is possibility to maintain proper functioning of the urinary tract. The compromised immune system of diabetes mellitus patient makes him or her prone to infections and hence consuming cranberries which contain some compound known as proanthocyanin is advisable since it inhibits bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary system. Moreover, it is liked that it contains flavonoids, vitamin C and other parts of antioxidants, which work against the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation, and protect cells. These antioxidants might also have positive impacts on heart health depending on the cholesterol problem and risk of heart disease. Cranberries are also rich in dietary fiber which aids in digestion and may also provide a positive impact on blood sugar levels that is why it is considered as most dependable food for diabetes as well those individuals seeking for a diet food. It is believed that due to their low inflammatory properties, cranberries can help decrease manifestations of conditions like arthritis, while a concentration of vitamin C makes for better immune system functioning and helps the body fight diseases. Additionally, cranberries contain low calories and sugar, while being high in nutrients, which makes our commodity suitable for overall health and combating chronic conditions.
Drinks of cranberries:
The most common product made from cranberries is cranberry juice, although it is used to make a number of other drinks. Cranberry juice has a pleasant, sour-sweet taste, and it is quite popular all by itself and combined with other types of fruit juice, most commonly orange or apple juice. It is also used in preparation of most cocktails, or garnishing as in the Cosmopolitan this drink bears resemblance with cranberry juice both in color and taste. However, cranberry also is offered in other drinks like cranberry smoothies and also in addition to plain water with a twist of cranberry. Occasionally cranberry smoothies are prepared by mixing fresh or frozen cranberries with yogurt, bananas or other berries to develop a blend of nutritious and creamy beverage. Another is cranberry tea, prepared from dried Cranberries or even Cranberry leaves and this is a sweet tea like drink ideal for those with sore throat. For those wanting to get creative with the use of cranberries, some people drown cranberry concentrate or cranberry syrup to sparkling water making it spritzy as opposed to taking soft sodas that have a lot of sugar. Not only are these cranberry drinks tasty ways to consume the fruit, but they provide antioxidants and contain properties that are good for urinary tract health.
Dessert of cranberries:
They are used quite frequently in deserts for they create an excellent sour base for sweeter tastes. Perhaps the simplest and most widely known cranberry dessert is cranberry sauce that can be served with the traditional cranberry cake or pies or even ice cream. Cranberry sauce is prepared by boiling cranberries with sugar and, depending on preference, some orange rind or cinnamon, and forms a relish or stuffing. Cranberry pies, very often served with apple and oranges, is another desert; the sour taste of cranberries is perfectly complemented by the sugar and pie crust. Cranberry muffins and scones are also as popular, providing a light, slightly sour baked goods perfect for breakfast or a snack. Cranberries are also used in the cobblers and crisps; these confections are made when the fruit is combined with sugar and then has a biscuit or crumble topping. Cranberries as a light and fruity dessert; for it, the berries must be processed into sorbet, so that there are smooth and frozen. The following are some of the cranberry desserts, illustrating how the fruit can be used in different ways in the culinary indicate peoples’ preference for this fruit in the preparation of seasonal foods particularly during the festive seasons.