Talk:Cranberry

Energy

Are we actually considering "energy" to be a nutrient? that seems a little grade school to me... Plcoffey (talk) 05:59, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Uniquely native

If they're uniquely native to the United States, how does one explain their presence in the bogs near Ottawa and Kingston in Canada? I drove by some wild ones at the side of the road just yesterday. Are they an introduced species this far north? -- Paul Drye

oh, *I'd* cut it on the grounds of an offensive use of the word 'uniquely'. --MichaelTinkler

Okay, how bout

uniquely native to the the north American continent

I think Crannies where introduced to Canada and mid-west US well after cultivating in MA got going. It you know for sure pls make changes or corrections.

how about 'native to the Whatever'. --MichaelTinkler, who hates hates hates the word 'unique' in all its manifestations.

The plant only grows in one area of the planet, under unusual conditions (wet, sandy bogs), doesn't that make it unique to that area ?

Cranberries were found all over northern North America (wherever bogs are found) when the Europeam settlers arrived. More than likely the native inbabitants greatly enlarged the range of the plant. --- hajhouse

FYI, Cranberries are native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere, including Britain, Scandinavia, and the whole of Russia, as well as Canada and parts of the US. - MPF

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica (2005), "The small-fruited, or northern, cranberry (V. oxycoccus) is found in marshy land in northern North America and Asia and in northern and central Europe." and "The American cranberry (V. macrocarpon) is found wild in the greater part of the northeastern United States." (EB does not mention The V. microcarpon and V. erythrocarpum varieties mentioned in the Wikipedia article.) -- O.M. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 66.108.82.59 (talk • contribs) 16:31, 3 December 2006 (UTC).

Is that one sassaman, two sassamanash? -phma

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I think they grow them here in WA and also in Oregon -- don't know if they're native, though. We have Lingonberries, too -- They aren't native! Useful info? I think not! JHK

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Cranberries are 1 of 3 fruit native to North Amercia, the Concord Grape and the Blueberry being the others. They are Native to WA, OR, and BC in fact, under tourism they should list Washington States www.cranberrycoast.org —Preceding unsigned comment added by Thebolinders (talk • contribs) 05:38, 19 September 2008 (UTC) This is just not true. Other native fruits include paw paw, strawberries, raspberries, plums among others. According to Vander Kloet (The genus Vaccinium) Vaccinium Macrocarpon is native to eastern north america. It is not native to the pacific northwest. There are good records about cranberries being introduced to coastal areas of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.123.204.50 (talk) 21:18, 14 October 2009(UTC)

True, the first poster overlooked black cherries, black raspberries, huckleberries, Niagara grapes, Allegheny blackberries, and we must also not forget that Mexico and Central America are part of the North American continent as well. Widely-cultivated tropical fruits such as guava, papaya, soursop, sweetsop, and prickly pears are also indigenous to North America.

White Cranberries

Anybody happen to know anything about white cranberries? I frequently see "white cranberry" juice for sale, but I do not know whether this refers to:

1. A separate species of cranberry
2. Juice made from colorless berries sorted apart from the red ones thatgrow on the same bushes
3. A marketing term for a colorless liquid that happens to taste like cranberries

Anybody know?

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I am a cranberry grower in Bandon, Oregon and I can answer this one for you.

The answer is ----- Juice made from colorless berries sorted apart from the red ones that grow on the same vines. And --- as needed, some cranberry bogs are picked very early before the cranberries turn red. They aren't really "white" but more green. Simply put... they aren't really ripe yet. The good news is: they have the same nutritional value as ripe ones and they don't stain.

Hope this helps! If anyone else has any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them.

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Legend said cranberries were once called bounceberries because of the way they bounced. Double-check on the validity of it.

I can tell you that in the Eatmor cranberry sauce plant, ca 1958, good wholesome sound cranberries were separated from not so good ones by being bounced. Richard8081 04:41, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

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Dried cranberries can also be eaten - should be listed under "Uses"

Elven dwarves?

Is this statement about cranberries even true? I have never heard such a thing. --DrippingInk 00:48, 30 December 2005 (UTC)

Cranberry map

Can anyone explain the cranberry map - ie sources? Wisconsin is the leading producer of cranberries in the US, but its not in any color range on that map. That just seems wrong. Ehlkej 22:09, 14 February 2006 (UTC)

I'll check. But the map is to show the native distribution, which is not necessarily the same as where they are cultivated as farm crops - MPF 14:02, 18 February 2006 (UTC)

false berry?

The false berry article says that cranberries are not true berries; is this correct? If so, the article should be corrected similar to blueberry, but I don't know enough on the subject to avoid being mistaken. -- nae'blis _(talk) 10:07, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

According to http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/book/chap7/cranberry.html and a few other obscure but authoritative (government or university) online sources, the Cranberry is a true berry. Changing it back.

Bvbacon 20:38, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

"Marketing and economics" addition

This large chunk of text was inserted by an anon on 27 July; it has the look of a copyvio, tho' I can't find it on the internet anywhere. It is also only relevant to the USA with no global context (Canada, Scandinavia, etc). Anyone any ideas what to do with it? Delete? Heavy prune? Expand with info for other regions and split off into a separate article? - MPF 12:22, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

This section was written by a university scientist who is very knowledgeable about north american cranberry production. As there is VERY LITTLE cranberry production outside of the US and Canada there is little reason to have information about marketing etc. for Scandinavia. Perhaps more information could be included about Canada. This is still a work in progress. I suggest that this section be returned back to the main article {unsigned comment}

I think the article is currently good, but I'd like to see more statistics, like a table or graph of annual production quantities and wholesale prices. Until that happens, it would be good to have a direct link to http://www.library.wisc.edu/guides/agnic/cranberry/marketing.htm 69.87.204.179 00:04, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

Barrel?
The article quotes wholesale prices per barrel. It should tell us how big a barrel of cranberries is. 69.87.203.56 02:43, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

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Washington State has their Cranberry Coast, so perhaps a section on tourism is now in order. Here is a direct link to their website, www.CranberryCoast.Org —Preceding unsigned comment added by Thebolinders (talk • contribs) 05:42, 19 September 2008 (UTC)

Pesticides

The current article pretends there are no current pesticide issues. It should tell us about recent/current pesticides, and what percent of the crop is organic. 69.87.203.56 02:48, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

Freezing

Does freezing impact nutrition? 69.87.203.56 02:59, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

Drying

Are there any commercial sources of dried cranberries that are not sweetened? Cranberries are healthy, but sugar is not particularly desireable. Some people like the straight taste. What are the best ways to dry at home? Here are some sources: How do you make dried cranberries? Sugar-Free Dried Cranberries 69.87.203.56 02:59, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

Fenberries

I went to a medieval-style restaurant the other day and ordered a dish called fenberrie pye, which consisted of pork, chicken, and cranberries. I was told by the cook that fenberries are another name for cranberries, but I have found no other source of information on this. So, are fenberries and cranberries the same? If fenberries truly are a synonym for cranberries, then I think it would warrant a mention in the article. FrogofTime 23:13, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

Not a synonym, but was an old name for Vaccinium oxycoccus in Europe - growing in fens. Meggar 05:20, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

Commercial availability

Are cranberries generally available in grocery stores all year or only certain months? -- Beland 22:28, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

In Massachusetts, they seem to be in the local grocery stores fresh whole from about October to January.-69.87.200.184 13:24, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

Why can't I find Ocean Spray Fresh Cranberries all year?
"We harvest fresh cranberries in the fall, filling the produce section at your local supermarket with lots of the bright red berries. Fresh cranberries are generally available in early October through December. Cranberries may be frozen, so we suggest that you stock up on extra cranberries around Thanksgiving to use throughout the year."[1]-69.87.200.184 13:44, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

Since Massachusetts producers have decided not to make frozen cranberries nationally available year-round, hopefully producers in some other state (or Canada) WILL decide to make frozen cranberries available in supermarkets.-69.87.201.60 23:03, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

The Netherlands

The American cranberry is also grown on two dutch isles, Terschelling and Vlieland and is also found on the mainland, but only rarely though. It all started when a barrel of cranberries drifted ashore at Terschelling in 1840 (romantic isn't it). Might be nice to mention. Check dutch cranberry wiki if you know any dutch ;) 86.87.75.160 00:11, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Pricing

United States -- Cents per pound -- Table 6--Cranberries: Total production and season-average prices received by growers[2]

• 2002 32.2
• 2003 33.9
• 2004 34.7

MASSACHUSETTS CRANBERRIES: Acres, Yield, Production, Utilization, Price and Value, 2002 – 2006[3]
Price Per Barrel

• Fresh - Processed - All
• 2002 50.30 30.70 32.80
• 2003 56.30 32.30 34.10
• 2004 54.80 30.60 32.60
• 2005 55.90 32.90 34.90
• 2006 57.20 35.00 36.80

-69.87.200.184 13:22, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

juice unsweetened

Some people like (or at least don't mind) the taste of pure, unsweetened cranberries. Pure juice is hard to find, but at least available at health food stores, in the US. It is usually quite bitter. But the bottle just bought at Trader Joes in Massachusetts, "not from concentrate", seems to not be as bitter as usual. Why? Is "not from concentrate" generally less bitter? Or, maybe it is more variable in taste?-69.87.201.60 22:52, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

I have no idea, but I'm drinking that same stuff right now! I love how it tastes. Cazort 23:19, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Health Benefits

The last blip on the radar says that "Cranberry juice also supposedly prevents the formation of kidney stones." You cannot use the word supposedly in an article. It either does or doesn't. Aspirin supposedly helps with headaches...NO - it DOES. Anyway...this 'fact' is bogus. They exert no effect in the kidney. They do not increase urine flow. I've not heard this in any herbal class I've ever taken. The only hypothetical that I can even fathom is that cranberries contain hippuric acid. This COULD lower the pH of the urine and prevent the formation of struvite stones. But, I doubt this hypothetical would have enough gusto due to the fact that hippuric acid is not a strong acid by any means and would be virtually ineffective if diluted - which it would in stones (the person would be POUNDING water I'd hope anyway) [[TheAngriestPharmacist]] 06:46, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Any similar lack of authentication for the health claims for cranberries palliating urinary tract infections? Richard8081 04:37, 29 May 2007 (UTC) Upon re-reading the Health Benefits section for Cranberries I see the telltale "... may ..." word, evoking all the aspects of dubiousness TheAngriestPharmacist is angry about, supra. The moon may be made of green cheese. You get the idea. Richard8081 16:19, 30 May 2007 (UTC)

I think this section contains techno-babble that is above the level of a general audience and that contributes no relevant or useful information to the article itself. Wikipedia is meant to be a general audience encyclopedia, not a specialized scientific reference. I am deleting the text from "A working hypothesis" up to "monosaccharides present in the cranberry". Such things would only be of interest to specialists engaging in research on the subject, especially given that it's only a working hypothesis. If we want more detail I think we should add it in gradually and ensure that it is more accessible and relevant to the article itself. Plus, it's uncited--anything that technical absolutely needs to be cited! Cazort 23:10, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

The health benefits section of the cranberries article wants pruning. Richard8081 17:35, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

Ok, Excessive cranberry juice drinking will cause bruising as I mentioned in my edit. It has been in both creditable sources and herbal mags (guh) and goes to logic. A remedy or juice that reduces clotting and cannot be mixed with blood thinners will cause bruising if one ingest too much. If you consult the courier journal (the louisville (ky newspaper)) or cranberry herbal suppliers sites (although I'd rather put stock in a newspaper or university publishing) http://patients.uptodate.com/abstract.asp?TR=blod_dis/6066&viewAbs=2&title=2 Here it says 8 oz a day is ok on warfarin, but it doesn't talk about the concentration. The article I read recommened 4 oz a day for women who bruise easily. I am reinserting the clause about excessive cranberry juice. And will accept comments. eximo 06:15, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

Reflex

Would it be possible to explain the reflexed shape of the petal or at least link to another article that discusses the aforementioned? Sochwa 19:24, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

How many chromosomes in Cranberry cells?

~~ —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.114.163.55 (talk) 04:47, August 30, 2007 (UTC)

Plaigerism?

"About 95% of cranberries are processed into products such as juice drinks, sauce, and sweetened dried cranberries. The remaining 5% is sold fresh to consumers." this is almost the exact same wording (if not the exact) as used by Mike Rowe on a 'Dirty Jobs' episode on cranberries. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.124.190.155 (talk) 05:58, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Yes, and where do you suppose he got his information? He copied us, not the other way around. Regardless, the information is factual. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.104.238.119 (talk) 15:36, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

What percentage of the production goes into items such as suppliments?22:05, 17 December 2010 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Xanthosocialization (talk • contribs)

"domestic honey bees"

From the second paragraph of the introduction:

"They are pollinated by domestic honey bees."

As it stands, this statement is nonsensical as the article is talking about pollination in the U.S., and there is no such thing as a domestic U.S. honey bee.

Options for what could be meant by this statement:

1) They are pollinated by domesticated, therefore European honey bees. 2) They are pollinated by native bees.

As the cranberry requires mass pollination in a short time span, I would presume that European honey bees are main pollinator, but I am no cranberry expert. If this is the case, I would suggest the phrase "They are pollinated by European honey bees," as this is clear and concise. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.74.133.5 (talk) 12:55, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

It's likely that "domestic honey bees" is not referring to the nation of origin of the bees, and instead says that the bees are 'kept' rather than wild.

Cranhandler (talk) 18:48, 23 April 2009 (UTC)

Marshberry

It seems that in Newfoundland V. oxycoccus is called "marshberry". Yet sometimes "cranberry" and "marshberry" are mentioned as different (e.g., both named in a same list). Would anybody know if they are different or just different names for the same berry? Nagare (talk) 03:26, 3 May 2009 (UTC)

Native Naming

The article says Native Americans used the term "Sassamanash." A clear generalization since the Natives were not a cohesive group with a single language and so doubtfully had the same word for Cranberries. Some more details such as which Native groups or what regions were the Cranberries cultivated or gathered and what language is Sassamanash from should be included. --99.232.53.33 (talk) 02:44, 29 May 2009 (UTC)

Photo

I think there should be a close-up photo of the actual fruits somewhere (in the “food” section, probably). That’s how most people will encounter the plant, not as a bush.

Why are overripe cranberries red under a black light?

I use to work at Ocean Spray and we had to seperate the cranberries under a black light? I was wondering why they turned red. Nobody knew why they just knew that they did it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 137.190.176.45 (talk) 15:42, 22 October 2010 (UTC)