The Institute’s website is a treasure trove of information on every aspect of cranberries you can imagine.  Cranberries were first used as food and medicine by early Native Americans, and the first commercial bed was planted in 1816 in Dennis, Massachusetts.  It can be harvested either “wet” or “dry.”  In the “wet” process, the cranberry beds are flooded and the fruit is beaten off the wine with a special harvester.  In the “dry” process, the fruit is removed with a mechanical picking machine.

Besides interesting factoids on the making of cranberries, there’s also a wealth of information on what cranberries can do for you.  The Institute brings together laboratory studies from different universities highlighting the cranberry’s effect on cancer, aging, heart health, ulcers, and dental health.  Ulcers and dental health, you wonder?  Cranberry juice has been shown to prevent the adhesion of the Helicobacter pylori ulcer-causing bacteria, and mouthwashes containing cranberry NDM reduced the colony sizes of Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria commonly associated with cavities.

If you’re interested in getting regular news updates, or simply chatting with a fellow cranberry lover, you can contact cinews@earthlink.net.  You can also start getting ready for the 2011 Berry Health Benefits Symposium, held June 27-29, 2011.  It’s bi-yearly, so don’t worry—you didn’t miss it this year.  The Cranberry Institute sponsored the 2009 event, along with the 2009 4^th Cranberry Institute Health Research Conference.

Cranberry juice is loaded with natural vitamins and minerals, in addition to large doses of dietary fibers, antioxidants and phytochemical nutrients, which help to combat heart disease and cancer.  The large quantities of Vitamin C combined with high amounts of acid can help to prevent kidney stones from forming and break down existing ones.  Your mouth benefits beyond your already thankful taste buds as cranberry juice can help to fight off the formation of oral bacteria, often leading to plaque buildup and gum disease.

While everyone has a lot to gain from drinking a lot of cranberry juice, it is particularly important for women to incorporate it into their daily diet.  An estimated one quarter of all women will be affected by a urinary tract infection at some point, with an elevated risk found in older women.  Cranberry juice has been used both as a prevention method and remedy to urinary tract infections, dating back to what used to be an old wives’ tale.  Scientific research, however, has substantiated this claim and cranberry juice is now widely recognized as viable aid.

1. Cranberry Sauce – With 12 ounces of cranberries, 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of orange juice or water, this Thanksgiving classic will satisfy any sweet tooth.  The thick relish can either be enjoyed on its own or as a complementary topping or side item.  Just dissolve the sugar in the orange juice or water, then stir in the cranberries.  Cook about 10 minutes until the cranberries begin to pop.  Finally, transfer the hot saucepan’s contents into a bowl so the cranberry sauce can thicken as it cools.
2. Strawberry-Cranberry Jam –  Using 2.5 quarts of chopped strawberries, 12 ounces of chopped cranberries, 4 ounces of powdered fruit pectin, 1 teaspoon of margarine and 5 lbs of white sugar, this beautiful jam comes together as the perfect spread for crackers and bread alike.  Once its boiled, stirred and jarred, this dark red jam can be easily preserved, providing an everyday snacking alternative to popcorn and potato chips.
3. Cranberry Pancakes – For the lazier chef wanting to get his or her family a cranberry fix without having to start from scratch, chopped up cranberries can be stirred directly into store bought pancake batter at the discretion of the cook.  Whether you want your pancakes to sparkle with cranberry red or just have a hit here and there, this one step solution adds a tasty touch of cranberry to a breakfast classic.

The majority of cranberries in the United States are wet-picked once they are ripe.  Wet-picking is the safest and easiest way to pick a large number of cranberries at one time.  The process requires for the bog or marsh in which the cranberries are growing to be flooded an estimated 6 to 8 inches above the vines.  The amount of water is predetermined and adjusted based on the total acreage used for cultivating cranberries.  After the area is filled with water, a motorized picking machine, or harvester, is driven through the beds in order to separate the berries from the vine.  The driver must continue in circles, slowly spiraling towards the center in order to ensure that every vine is amply picked.  Once the individual cranberries are detached from the vine, the fruit will float to the top making it much easier to mass-collect the cranberries.  The floating cranberries are herded to the corner of the bed so that they can be collected in a single area for transportation.

Though over 90% of cranberries are wet-picked, there is still a smaller contingent of dry-picked cranberries.  This process is much more expensive as it is more labor intensive.  Individual dry-picking does have its benefits; dry-picked cranberries are generally in better condition with less bruising and can be sold directly as fresh fruit, not requiring prior freezing or processing.

1. Valentine’s Day -  When February 14^th roles around and you need to impress the significant other in your life, a lot of lovers turn to rose petals to provide the dark red shade of romance.  Cranberries can fill in on short notice or can be used in combination with roses to create an entirely new visual experience.  While possessing the same rich exterior color, cranberries are a lot more versatile than roses.  For starters, you can eat them which, when used correctly, can enhance the romance all by itself.  Cranberries also float better, and easily maintain their figure without getting soggy.  This comes in handy in case you might want to run a candlelight bath to set the mood.
2. 4^th of July – Who says Independence Day is just for fireworks, lawn chairs and light beer?  Our national colors are red, white and blue… you can probably guess how the cranberries might fit in.  Try mixing a bowl of cranberries and blueberries to stay within the theme.  This can serve as either a patriotic centerpiece or a healthy snack for everyone to enjoy.
3. Thanksgiving – While you might already might already make cranberry sauce as part of your Thanksgiving spread, the lovely berries can also nestle up next to pumpkins, dried corn husks, and amber leaves, adding a helpful hint of color to the standard holiday arrangement.

1. Centerpieces – The beautiful red hue of the cranberry is very complementary to any white table cloth or fine dining spread.  In order to make an elegant cranberry centerpiece you don’t have to embark on a complex arts and crafts project.  Some of the best centerpieces are very basic, using items you probably already have in a cabinet or lying around the house.  For example, you can take a nice glass vase or even an upscale drinking glass and fill it to the top with cranberries and voila, you have a centerpiece.  For added effect, sprinkle a few extra cranberries around the base.
2. Holiday Decoration – When the leaves start to fall and all the turkey leftovers are safely in the freezer, it is time to finally get in the Christmas spirit.  When getting your house ready for the most wonderful time of the year, cranberries can be easily incorporated to spruce up the endless evergreen.  From wreaths to mistletoe, cranberries can add a perfect touch of red to offset the shades of natural green.  Cranberries can also be added directly to your tree give it a more natural splendor amid the ornaments.
3. Flower vases – Instead of filling a vase with unsightly dirt, cranberries will both hold the stems of flower arrangements in place and allow for water just as well, all while adding a subtle hint of charm.