Cranberries

Cranberries

　　Cranberries, also known as craneberries or cowberries, are mainly produced in North America and are hailed as the "Red Gems of North America." They are also grown in regions such as Northeast China and Inner Mongolia. These are bright red, small, round berries that grow on shrubs. Fresh cranberries are very tart when eaten raw, so they are mostly used as garnishes, or made into dried fruits, juices, jams, etc. They have a distinctive flavor — tart with a slight sweetness, refreshing and tangy — and also provide great beauty and wellness benefits. They are available at specialty Western cuisine stores.

　　Cranberries are planted every spring and harvested in the autumn. There are two harvesting methods: “wet harvesting” and “dry harvesting.” High-quality cranberries contain air inside, allowing them to float on water. In wet harvesting, farmers first flood the cranberry fields, then drive water reels through the fields to agitate the water. Once the loosened cranberries float to the surface, they are rounded up and sorted using booms. The scene of water reels, red berries, shimmering water, and blue skies creates a spectacular view that often leaves onlookers in awe. If you visit during the harvest season, you can witness the dazzling red spectacle right by the cranberry fields.

　　For the Native American tribes of North America, cranberries symbolized nutrition and health. They would mix dried deer meat with cranberry scraps and oil to make cakes, and also commonly applied cranberries to wounds for their absorbent properties.

　　During the colonial era, wild cranberries were among the first products exported from the "New World" to Britain. Sailors always kept cranberries on board to prevent scurvy caused by vitamin C deficiency. In 1677, the government of the New England colonies presented three famous North American native products to King Charles II of England, including two large barrels of Indian corn, three thousand codfish, and three large barrels of cranberries. However, after a long voyage, the cod and corn had spoiled, while the cranberries arrived fresh, presenting themselves in their original state to the king. This helped cranberries gain great fame.