All about cranberry harvesting in Canada

This fruit, which represents Canada very well, is endemic to North America. This red, acidic berry is massively cultivated in Quebec and British Columbia. Only the American cranberry varieties or large-fruited cranberries are used for commerce.

The cranberry is an emblematic fruit of Canada, where it is also called Atoca in the indigenous language. It is small, round and rather hard.

Cultivations are mostly found in southern Canada. It is related to blueberries. Its taste is described as both tart and sour.

It grows on vines in freshwater bogs, flat swamps or marshes that provide the moist, acidic soil they need to grow. Sawdust, peat or sand can also be added to the soil. Vines do not grow in rows, which makes growing cranberries difficult. To protect them from pests, a proper insect management plan must be in place over the long term.

Pollination is done naturally by bumblebees or bees. Once the fruits form, there are between one and three per branch. When ripe, their color changes from green to red. Traditionally, cranberries are eaten at Christmas or Thanksgiving dinners. Today, they are massively consumed, partly because of their nutritional qualities and their benefits for the body.

Moreover, regarding their contributions, they contain 23 calories for half a cup. They are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants - particularly flavonoids. They have beneficial effects on cholesterol, oral health, the stomach and the heart. They also help prevent urinary tract infections and calm gastric ulcers. People on certain drug treatments should avoid consuming them because they can interact with certain molecules.

Cranberries were traditionally used by the natives as a remedy, although they also consumed them as food. It is an ingredient that helps preserve meat and fish, while adding vitamins to them.

When choosing fresh cranberries, you should choose smooth, shiny, firm and fleshy ones. They are quite easy to store, just place them in a paper bag, without washing them. In this way, they can be kept for up to 2 months in the refrigerator. Those who prefer to freeze them can keep them for almost a year.

There is only one harvest season per year, from mid-September to early November.

Cranberries from the dry harvest are intended to supply the fresh fruit market. This type of harvest takes place at the beginning of the season.

For the fruit to be picked, the vines must be perfectly dry. A light drizzle the night before, a heavy dew or damp ground after a night of frost represent real challenges and can delay the harvest.

The fruit is harvested using Western or Darlington type mechanical harvesters. They pass through the bogs to dislodge the cranberries from the plants. They are then sent to burlap bags or wooden crates. Once the containers are full, the machines are stopped, the containers are removed to place another empty one. Once enough bags or crates are filled, they are transported by tractor or by hand to large containers that are stacked as they are filled. They are then transported by machine, truck or helicopter to the storage area or sorting plant.

Although this type of harvest represents only a tiny percentage of all cranberry production in Canada, it is necessary for the supply of fresh fruit.

Most of it - 90% - cultivated cranberries are harvested in this manner. The cranberries from this are used in the manufacture of juices, sauces, sweetened and dried cranberries, ingredients and other prepared foods or nutritional products.

The inside of the fruit has an air pocket, so it floats in water. The bogs where the fruit is grown are filled with water to make it easier to harvest. Water mills are then operated in the water to help the fruit detach from the plants.

The berries are gathered on a sort of wooden or plastic ramp before being lifted or pumped to the receiving station for cleaning. Wet harvesting usually takes place well into the season.

On our site, we offer several products based on this typical Canadian fruit. Do you like dried cranberries in your culinary preparations or as a small snack? Let yourself be tempted by our dried cranberry berry, available in 150 g, 500 g and 1 kg packaging. Are you watching your sugar intake? Opt for our dried cranberry less sweet in 225g. If you prefer the look or texture of the whole berry, you can take our whole dried cranberry, in 454g or in 1kg.

For your information, dried cranberries are very easy to add to breads, cookies or cakes. They can also be added to salads, seafood, vegetables and even hamburgers for a tangy and original note. We recommend that you let them macerate in liquid before using them so that they regain their softness.

Cranberry juice is sweet, sugary, slightly acidic and with a slightly bitter aftertaste. While it is easy to drink in cocktails, it is also very easy to add to sauces. We offer you organic pure cranberry juice without sugar 500 ml and of organic pure cranberry and blueberry juice 500 ml on our site. You will also find it in its concentrated version, in 300 ml and in 1L. Do not hesitate to discover our cranberry maple balsamic vinaigrette, to add a touch of originality to your salads.

For those with a sweet tooth, we offer some sweet treats on our site. Treat yourself to our dark chocolate-coated cranberries, 120 g And 325 g. To add sweetness to your pancakes, why not let yourself be tempted by our cranberry maple syrup 250 ml ?

Black tea with cranberries is a product that is also popular with our customers. It is available in 24 bags simple, but also in a wooden box 24 bags.