All about cranberry harvesting in Canada

This fruit, which perfectly represents Canada, is native to North America. This red, tart berry is cultivated extensively in Quebec and British Columbia. Only the American cranberry varieties or large-fruited cranberries are used for trade.

The cranberry is an iconic fruit of Canada, where it is also called Atoca in Indigenous languages. It is small, round, and rather hard.

Most of the crops are found in southern Canada. It is related to blueberries. Its taste is described as both acidic and sour.

It grows on vines in freshwater bogs, flat marshes, or swamps that provide the acidic, moist soil it needs. Sawdust, peat, or sand can also be added to the soil. The vines don't grow in rows, which complicates cranberry cultivation. To protect them from pests, a comprehensive, long-term insect management plan is essential.

Pollination occurs naturally, carried out by bumblebees or honeybees. Once the fruits form, there are between one and three per branch. As they ripen, their color changes from green to red. Traditionally, cranberries are eaten at Christmas or Thanksgiving dinners. Today, they are consumed on a massive scale, partly due to their nutritional qualities and health benefits.

In fact, regarding their nutritional value, they contain 23 calories per half-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 may also help prevent urinary tract infections and soothe stomach ulcers. However, people taking certain medications should avoid consuming them because they can interact with some drugs.

Cranberries were traditionally used by Indigenous peoples as a remedy, although they also consumed them as food. They are an ingredient that helps preserve meat and fish, while also adding vitamins.

When choosing fresh cranberries, select those that are smooth, shiny, firm, and plump. They store quite easily; simply place them in a paper bag without washing them. This way, they can be kept for up to two months in the refrigerator. Those who prefer to freeze them can store them for almost a year.

There is only one harvest season per year, from mid-September until the beginning of November.

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

For the grapes to be harvested, the vines must be perfectly dry. Even a light drizzle the night before, heavy dew, or damp ground after a night of frost presents real challenges and can delay the harvest.

The fruit is harvested using Western or Darlington-type mechanical harvesters. These harvesters pass through the peat bogs to dislodge the cranberries from the plants. They are then sent into burlap sacks or wooden crates. Once the containers are full, the machines stop, the containers are removed, and an empty one is placed in their place. When enough sacks or crates are full, they are transported by tractor or by hand to large containers, which 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.

The majority - 90% - Cultivated cranberries are harvested in this way. The resulting cranberries are used in the manufacture of juices, sauces, sweetened and dried cranberries, ingredients and other prepared foods or nutritional products.

The fruit has an air pocket inside, so it floats in water. The peat bogs where the fruit is grown are flooded to make harvesting easier. Watermills are then used in the water to help detach the fruit from the plants.

The berries are gathered onto a kind of wooden or plastic ramp before being lifted or pumped to the receiving station for cleaning. Wet harvesting usually takes place later in the season.

On our website, we offer several products made with this quintessential Canadian fruit. Do you enjoy dried cranberries in your cooking or as a snack? Treat yourself to our dried cranberry, available in 150g, 500g, and 1kg packages. Watching your sugar intake? Opt for our less sweet dried cranberries in 225gIf you prefer the look or texture of the whole berry, you can choose our dried whole cranberry. 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 touch. We recommend soaking them in liquid before using them so they regain their softness.

Cranberry juice is sweet, slightly acidic, and has a slightly bitter aftertaste. While it's easy to drink in cocktails, it also adds beautifully to sauces. We offer... Organic pure cranberry juice, unsweetened, 500 ml and of the Pure organic cranberry and blueberry juice 500 ml on our website. You will also find it in its concentrated version, in 300 ml and in 1L. Feel free to discover our balsamic cranberry and maple vinaigretteto add a touch of originality to your salads.

For those with a sweet tooth, we offer a few treats on our website. Indulge in our dark chocolate-covered cranberries, in 120 g And 325 gTo add a touch of sweetness to your pancakes, why not try our 250 ml cranberry maple syrup ?

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