SALINAS, CA - A little bit tart and a little bit sweet, cranberries have become synonymous with the holidays. The category, however, can be a little under-appreciated outside of December, which Naturipe Farms is working to correct.

“We’ve already been sharing cranberry recipes and ideas via social media, but we know there’s so much more to cranberries than recipes,” said CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President of Marketing. “That’s especially true when you talk to our cranberry growers—arguably the most passionate cranberry people on the planet. That’s why we are sharing with you a few things they want you to know about their favorite berry.”

Retailers, take note! Educating consumers on how their favorite fruits and veggies are grown and harvested makes them more likely to buy. A win-win for everyone!

For example, Naturipe Farms noted that consumers often think that cranberries are harvested out of a water-filled bog, which isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, some fresh cranberry growers dry harvest their fruit using no water at all.

“While cranberries are much more resilient than other types of berries, we must still respect their needs,” stated Brian Bocock, Vice President of Product Management, in a recent press release. “So, when it comes to harvesting for fresh consumption, a water-filled bog is absolutely NOT where it’s at. We want our cranberries to be exposed to water as little as possible to ensure they stay fresh as long as possible. So, while the bog may make sense as the first step in harvesting for mass production of cranberries used for juice or dried berries, it’s not the best method if we want an amazingly sweet, tart berry kept fresh.”

Naturipe also takes special care to ensure that the highest quality is maintained throughout all levels of the supply chain. It waits to package its cranberries until an order is received, meaning that the product spends less time in a sealed package. This helps maximize freshness and keep the cranberries in tip-top retail shape.

Alongside their gorgeous color, cranberries boast some serious health benefits. They have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that benefit the cardiovascular system, oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and urinary tract.

“When we talk about the benefits of cranberries, we’re talking about way more than the nutritional benefits of the vitamins and minerals that any fruit or veggie can lay claim to,” said Bocock. “We’re talking about Proanthocyanidins (PACs)—or Pretty Awesome Compounds as I like to think of them. They are amazing molecules, available only in cranberries, that offer this amazing antimicrobial quality. Adding a serving of cranberries into your diet, it’s like building a wall between your insides and bacteria that can make you sick.”

On top of their health benefits, Naturipe’s cranberries are available in both conventional and organic.

“We’re working hard to make organic cranberries more accessible to consumers who prefer them,” said Bocock. “We’re able to do that by learning from growing techniques used for more than 100 years by conventional farmers. Things like how to prune the vine and when to harvest the berries that are naturally in line with organic standards.”

With all of this in mind, it seems silly to relegate cranberries to just a side dish. The berry brightens dishes both savory and sweet, and can be added to oatmeal, smoothies, desserts, and baked goods.

“I recommend you buy fresh cranberries when they are in season and throw a few bags into your freezer for later use,” noted Bocock. “Just like other berries, cranberries maintain their flavor, nutrient power, and ease of use straight out of your freezer.”

Go forth and make those cranberries sing!

Naturipe Farms