The specificity of Canadian cranberries

Cranberry or cranberry

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is the cranberry of First Nations Canadian and the English-speaking cranberry. These small, hard red berries with a very particular taste are related to blueberries. They grow mainly in North America. In Canada, they are found mainly in Quebec and British Columbia.

Cranberries grow as vines on the ground and are cultivated in bogs, marshes or swamps. The place where they grow must be able to flood to allow berry harvest.

Pollination of flowers is carried out by pollinating insects, such as bees and bumblebees. To protect vines from pests, growers often use insects in rotation.

Every year, the landscapes of the regions where it is grown change radically. The harvest begins only when the vines are perfectly dry. This condition must be met so that the berries separate more easily from the vine. The peat bogs where the cranberries grow are then filled with water. The fruits float on the surface because they contain a small pocket of air. Hand machines or water mills are then operated to finish detaching the fruits from the plant. When the harvest is done manually, workers move on foot in the marshes filled with water and rake the plants. They use berry combs, a bit like those used for blueberries, to harvest cranberries.

There is no need to replant after harvest, as the plant will continue to produce the following year.

It is a staple of holiday tables in North America, in sauce or jelly. Nowadays, cranberries are increasingly consumed because of their very interesting nutritional contributions. They are traditionally used by First Nations tribes in their diet, but also to dye fabric or as a disinfectant. These tribes crushed them and mixed them with meat and game fat, to preserve them and give “pemmican”, a superfood.

The benefits of cranberries

Sometimes considered a superfood in its own right, cranberries are small fruits that are very rich in nutrients. They contain a small wealth of vitamins - notably C and K - and antioxidants (polyphenols). They also contain less sugar and fewer calories than other berries.

This berry is said to have preventive properties for certain liver diseases and to act as a blood pressure regulator. Consume cranberries regularly - plain, juiced or in another form - would also help to see better and improve cardiovascular health. It is also beneficial for the intestinal flora, especially in those who consume sugar, meat and dairy products in quantity. Another well-known benefit of cranberries is that they can reduce or prevent the onset of certain urinary tract infections.

Some research suggests that these little berries also have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Further studies are underway to determine whether the proanthocyanidins they contain could help reduce the risk of cancer.

Despite many benefits, cranberries can also cause problems in some people at risk. Those who are already prone to kidney stones should limit their consumption of cranberries in all their forms. This fruit tends to promote their formation.

It has also been shown that consumption cranberry juice could reduce the effectiveness of certain medications. It is therefore preferable to consult your doctor before consuming it regularly to avoid any contraindications.

Canadian Cranberry

Compared to American cranberries, Canadian cranberries are larger and more beautiful. Transportation and packaging are also more careful. For many consumers, berries ordered fresh in Canada are always impeccable and without defects. In comparison, there are often a few crushed cranberries in packages from the United States.

The United States regularly imports Canadian Cranberries for their domestic market. The Canadian season actually starts earlier and the fruit is available a few weeks before. This allows some American distributors to position themselves on the market before the domestic harvest.

The Canadian market is, however, younger than its neighbour. Pesticides and chemicals are being used less and less to combat pests. Producers prefer to introduce predatory insects to the pests in rotation so that nature can take care of the problem itself. The country also does not appreciate the massive use of chemical fertilizers. For maximum efficiency, producers use a combination of chemical, biological and physical methods to protect their cranberry vines. Thanks to this rigour in production methods, Canada is the largest producer of organic cranberries in the world. More than a thirty Canadian cranberries benefit from certification.

Canada also invests a lot in research for better agro-environmental practices and more efficient production techniques. It is making real efforts to improve the sector. It should also be noted that between 2005 and 2012, Canada planted massively in order to be able to better position itself on the market.

Quebec is now the second largest producing region. Four large processing companies are also located in the Centre-du-Québec region.

The Canadian region comes after Wisconsin and is followed by Massachusetts, both in the United States.

The cultivation, processing and trade of Canadian Cranberry mainly benefit Quebec. The vast majority of fresh fruit is sent to the United States. Once processed, the United States remains the main customer, but Canada also ships to Europe and Africa.

THE cranberries offered on our site all come from Canada. In juice, dried or even chocolate coated, you will find something for all tastes and all occasions!