Characteristics
- Family: Ericaceae
- Origin: Europe and North America
- Season: August to September
- Colour: Red
- Flavour: Acidic
Properties
- Rich in antioxidants
- Source of vitamin C and potassium
- Diuretic
- Helps prevent bladder and urinary tract infections
Nutritional and caloric values
For 100g of cranberries
The benefits
- Moisturising properties
- Antioxidant power
- Diuretic effects
- Prevention of cystitis
How to choose cranberries
Look for ripeness
Ripe red cranberries should be small and red and may be slightly mealy. Their stalk should be very green and swollen like a gooseberry.
Seasonality
Red cranberries are at their most ripe in August and September. However, it is rare to find them fresh, they are usually found tinned, dried or frozen.
How do you store red cranberries?
If you buy them fresh, they should be stored in the vegetable drawer of the fridge.
Highly concentrated in water, it is fragile and cannot be stored for long (a few days at most).
How to prepare cranberries?
Very acidic when eaten raw, red cranberries are sweeter when cooked, possibly with a little sugar.
Cranberry sauce
The most popular recipe is the famous Nordic sauce, which is the perfect accompaniment to poultry and meat dishes. You can also combine red cranberries with duck breasts to sublimate them.
Cooking the sweet version of the cranberry
The very acidic taste prevents them from being eaten raw, but they can be made into delicious jams or eaten dried in cakes or even in juice.
Contraindications and allergies
Given its almost impeccable nutritional profile, there are few contraindications to consuming raw red cranberries.
However, there can be problems when consumed in concentrated form, for example in gemmotherapy, or in the form of processed and sweetened products.
Hormone related cancers
Because of its particular composition and its ability to mimic oestrogen, cranberry is not recommended for people with a history of hormone-dependent cancer. This contraindication is particularly true when red cranberries are taken in the form of buds (gemmotherapy).
Beware of sugary derivatives
In its natural form, the red cranberry is a small and very acidic berry. As a result, foods and drinks containing red cranberry are often high in added sugar.
In order not to miss out on its benefits and to maintain a healthy and balanced diet, it is important to read food labels carefully so that you can make the right choices.