Cranberry
Cranberry is an ever-green, low shrublet of small, red fruits resembling blueberries or whortleberries. Cranberry grows naturally in wet areas on acidic and peat soils.
Cranberry fruits are harvested in late autumn, or even in winter, if mild and snowless. It is primarily cultivated in North America.
Product information
Cranberry fruits contain plenty of vitamins (A, C, B1, B2, B6 and E), minerals (calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iodine), carotenoids, pectin, anthocyanins and organic acids. Cranberry fruits are recommended in renal disorders, urinary tract infections and circulatory diseases.
In addition, cranberry is used as natural cure for flue, cold and general strengthening of the human body. It counteracts decay. Content of antioxidants protects the organism against free radicals and therefore reduces the risk of cancer.
Cranberry fruits are used for production of preserves (as a main ingredient or an additive). It can be used to make juices, syrups, jams, fruit cordials and fruit-flavoured starch jelly. Cranberry jelly with apples and sugar used for flavouring of meats (in particular game and turkey) is highly valued. Cranberry added to tea gives it a distinctive and acidulous taste. Due to its properties, it has been widely used both in culinary art and in medicine.