In the current issue of Small Farm Canada, Colleen Halpenny profiles Riverside Cranberries of Glen Valley, BC and now we want to know more about cranberries.
According to Canadian Food Focus, “cranberries are native to Atlantic Canada where they grow wild in wetlands and marsh areas. However, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island account for less than ten per cent of the Canadian production because the majority of today’s cranberries are harvested in BC and Quebec. They are the largest berry crop in BC and in Canada.”
When buying fresh cranberries, look for berries that are shiny, plump and firm, without mould or mildew.
Fresh cranberries must be refrigerated to retain freshness. They can be kept in original packaging or air-tight containers for up to three months. Rinse just before using. Cooked berries can be kept covered in the fridge for up to one month.
Cranberries can be kept frozen in a sealed container for up to three years. They can be placed directly in the freezer in original packaging and will not stick together once frozen (do not rinse before freezing). Use them from frozen.
Interesting cranberry fact: High in vitamin C with a long shelf life, made cranberries an ideal food for sailors to prevent scurvy on long voyages.
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