The Cranberry is America’s original Superfruit. Berries grow on low lying shrubs or vines in acidic bogs that are native to cooler regions of North America. Cranberries have become a major commercial crop in certain States and Canadian Provinces. The growing region has continued to expand to South America, particularly Chile. YSA is proud to provide access to a consistent supply of high-quality cranberries.
It is a common misconception that cranberry bogs are always flooded with water. In actuality, bogs are flooded happens only once or twice a year. The most common reason to flood the bog is during harvest, appropriately called Wet Harvesting, and typically place from September through early November. The ripened berries develop air chambers causing the fruit to float when submerged in water. A machine resembling a paddle boat gently knocks the berries from the vine as the machine hovers over the planted rows. A series of booms gather the floating berries and corral the fruit, which is to be vacuumed and loaded onto trucks and sent to processing. Bogs are also flooded during winter months to protect the berries from frost and other unwanted pests. Commonly the bogs freeze over and serve as the protection from the harsh elements also allowing farmers to deposit a sand slurry which promotes a stable soil environment.
Fresh cranberries are rich in phytochemicals, particularly polyphenols which are currently being tested for their anticancer and immune boosting properties. Cranberry juice is full of proanthocyanidins (PAC), flavonols and quercetin, all of which provide significant benefit. PACs are credited with reducing recurrence rates of urinary tract infections because the molecule thwarts the adhesion mechanism of many bacterium. Additionally, tannins found in cranberries promote digestion through linking with proteins and potentially stabilizing digestive enzymes.
The original name ‘craneberry’ came about because of the flower petal complex resembling that of the crane bird. However, the shortened common version didn’t take long be popularized.
Native Americans called the berry Ibimi, meaning “bitter berry”. The cranberry is believed to be served at the first Thanksgiving, but the first recorded use of the word “cranberries” appeared in 1647 in a letter written by missionary John Eliot.
Cranberry harvest in North America begins in September and can last through early November.
The cranberry growth cycle requires 16-18 months depending on conditions. This production cycle includes initiation of the flower bud (bud set) and the time to harvest mature fruit.
North America – WI, MA, NJ, WA, OR, Canada
South America – Chile
Cranberries are commonly used in juice, sauce, jam, or they can be processed into sweetened dried cranberry (SDCs). The berry fusion products are an excellent alternative when wanting to incorporate a different flavor profile while still maintaining the stability, availability, and price of the SDC.
Most products lines are available in a glycerated form and can often be made to customer needs.
Sweetened Dried Cranberries (SDC)
Apple Juice Infused (SDC) – not sweetened with sugar
Berry Fusions (Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Mango, Pomegranate)