Description
Enjoy the tangy, tart flavor of our cranberries, perfect for adding to salads, baking into breads or muffins, making sauces or relishes, or blending into smoothies for a refreshing kick. Available in our Local Farm Shop in Bellaghy, Mid Ulster Area.
🍒 Cranberries are small, tart, red berries that grow on low, creeping shrubs or vines in cool, acidic bogs and wetlands. They’re part of the Vaccinium genus, closely related to blueberries and lingonberries.
🌿 Physical Characteristics
- Size & Shape: Round berries, typically 1–2 cm in diameter
- Colour: Start light green, ripen to deep red
- Taste: Sharp, acidic flavor with subtle sweetness
- Leaves: Small, evergreen, oval-shaped
- Flowers: Bell-shaped and pink, blooming in early summer
🌍 Where They Grow
- Native to North America, especially in the U.S. (Wisconsin, Massachusetts) and Canada
- Thrive in acidic, sandy soils and are often cultivated in bogs
- Harvested in autumn, often using a method called wet harvesting, where fields are flooded and berries float to the surface
🧬 Botanical Info
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Genus | Vaccinium |
| Subgenus | Oxycoccus |
| Common Species | Vaccinium macrocarpon (American cranberry) |
| Growth Habit | Woody perennial vines |
🍽️ Uses & Benefits
- Popular in sauces, juices, baked goods, and dried snacks
- Traditionally served with turkey during Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber
- Known for supporting urinary tract health and reducing inflammation
Cranberries aren’t just a festive side dish—they’re a botanical marvel with a punchy personality
