Have you always wondered which berries are best combined with our different porridges , granola, and muesli? Here you can learn the most important facts about berries such as cranberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and their health benefits.
With our personal garden tips, you can soon marvel at your own shrub with cranberries in the garden. You can then add the berries to the porridge or granola to have a really healthy breakfast.
Here's what you should know about cranberries.
Cranberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) belong to the heather family (Ericaceae) and to the blueberry genus (Vaccinium myrtillus). These berries are known by the popular names of crown berries, corrugated berries, or fox berries.
The blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), as a related berry, is mainly collected in the wild. The commercially available cranberries are selected forms of berries that are larger and have a richer fruit base than the wild berries.
Where do cranberries grow?
The fruit, cranberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), grows as an upright to crawling dwarf shrub and can reach an average height of 30 centimeters.
The evergreen dwarf shrubs grow in dwarf shrub heaths of alpine pastures, but also in light and dry forests. They are mainly found in pine forests. The wild-growing fruit cranberry prefers partial shade.
With a little talent, the cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) also grows well in your garden. To ensure that cranberries grow in your garden and produce berries, refer to our tips about the berries below in the article.
Are cranberries and cranberries the same thing?
It is not uncommon for people to think that cranberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) are the German translation of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon, cranberries) and that they are the same berries. The two berries are very similar in taste. The cranberry and the cranberry (cranberries) have a very sour flavor due to the high proportion of fruit acids (benzoic acid, ascorbic acid, salicylic acid). The cranberry (also large fruity cranberry) is often called "cultured cranberry", which can lead to confusion – it is not a cranberry.
There are also similarities in the ingredients of vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as the fiber, potassium, and iron contained in the berries.
Although the two berries are closely related, they differ in some respects. Cranberries grow to about the size of cherries, while cranberries can only grow to the size of peas. Although both berries are heather plants, the cranberry plant grows along the ground, while cranberries grow upright.
Additionally, it has been found that cranberries or the juice from cranberries can protect against certain intestinal viruses. Cranberries are also notable for their properties as berries.
When are cranberries ripe for harvest?
The leaves of cranberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) are ready for collection in May or August. These berries are usually dried in partial shade for further processing, for example, into tea. The berries are ripe on average between July and September, depending on the warmth of the summer. The berries must be bright red; only then are they ripe.
The health benefits of fruits like cranberries
Cranberries are not only one of the most well-known superfoods, but they also offer many health benefits. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, making them an integral part of your diet. Phenolic acids and tannins in particular provide a healing effect. For example, inflammation of the oral mucosa or gums can be treated with cranberries.
Cranberries as a medicinal plant
The healthy ingredients are not only contained in the berries but also in the leaves. Primarily, the berries are used as a medicinal plant for the following diseases because of their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic effects:
- Cystitis
- Urinary tract infections
- Renal pelvic inflammations
- Rheumatoid diseases
- Gout complaints
Moreover, the juice from cranberry berries or a tea made from the leaves of the cranberry plant can lower cholesterol levels and clean the blood vessels. Thanks to their abundant antioxidants, these berries stimulate cell renewal in the body and can also be used as an anti-aging remedy.
Cranberry Tea Recipe
Pour 250 ml of boiling water over a heaped teaspoon of cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) leaves (without the flowers), steep for five minutes, and enjoy. The tea made from cranberry leaves has a good taste and is particularly healthy due to its ingredients.
Recipe – Smoothie bowl with cranberries
Smoothie bowl with berries
Accessories
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Blender
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 200 g berries
- 150 ml plant-based drink
- 1 tbsp flaxseed
- 2 tbsp oatmeal
Preparation
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Put all the ingredients in a blender and mix them well until a creamy consistency is formed.
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Then place the smoothie in a bowl.
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You can refine the smoothie bowl with toppings of your choice.
Cranberry Nutrients
The berries not only taste delicious but also contain many beneficial vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin B, and vitamin A. Additionally, the berries contain minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, among others.
Nutritional table: Cranberry (fresh, per 100 grams)
| Cranberry | per 100 grams of cranberries |
|---|---|
| Calorific value | 147 kJ |
| Calories | 35 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Vitamins in cranberries | per 100 g cranberry |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 10 mg |
| Vitamin E | 1 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.02 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.01 mg |
| Minerals in cranberries | per 100 g cranberry |
|---|---|
| Potassium | 80 mg |
| Calcium | 15 mg |
| Phosphorus | 10 mg |
| Magnesium | 6 mg |
| Salt | 5.1 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
| Zinc | 0.3 mg |
What is the best way to enjoy cranberries?
The cranberries, with their organic acidity, are only suitable for raw consumption to a limited extent. The sour red berries taste even better when processed into cranberry jam or berry compote. These berries can also be wonderfully transformed into jelly combined with other fruits. Even a small glass of pure cranberry juice is a real health drink.
Our insider tip is cranberries with our delicious Verival porridges or in gluten-free muesli from Verival. This makes your healthy breakfast with the berries and oatmeal taste even better. Of course, you can combine cranberries with various fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, currants, or blueberries (vaccinium).
How do I store cranberries correctly?
Cranberries are sensitive and spoil very quickly. Therefore, cranberries should be processed as fresh as possible. For short-term storage of the berries, we recommend storing cranberries in the refrigerator. Carefully sort out the damaged fruits beforehand; otherwise, they will mold very quickly.
Can I plant cranberries in the garden?
Sure! Fresh cranberries from your garden are known to taste the best. Additionally, you can eat a few of the red berries raw from time to time. Usually, cranberries grow wild in the mountains. However, if you have a suitable spot in your garden, the cranberry can grow there as well.
The cranberries should be placed in a sunny to slightly semi-shaded area in the garden. Additionally, you should ensure that the soil in the garden has a pH of 5 to 6 so that the shrubs can thrive properly.
To get the right pH, mix some coniferous litter or deciduous compost into the hole in the garden. The best time to plant cranberries in the garden is in spring as seedlings. Seeds can be planted as early as autumn.
Our cranberry care tips: Use ground cover cranberry bushes at a distance of 40 to 50 cm. Keep the cranberry bushes weed-free to maintain loose soil. Water extensively during dry periods.
Since cranberries and blueberries have the same requirements for soil and location in the garden, it is advisable to plant blueberries at the same time. But beware: the shrubs do not bear fruit in the garden for the first two years after planting. From the third year onwards, they can bear fruit twice a year.
The first harvest of berries in the garden occurs in June or July, but it is slightly smaller.
The second, larger cranberry harvest in the garden starts at the end of August - beginning of September and lasts until October, depending on the weather. We look forward to you soon tasting your own berries together with our porridges, cereals, or other products such as cashews or hazelnuts.
Another small tip: Apart from cereals, porridge, and similar dishes, cranberries are, of course, an indispensable topping for any game dish and pair well with baked camembert.
