FAQs

FAQ for U.S. Cranberries

What is an antioxidant?

Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals when they are formed. The human body is capable of producing antioxidants naturally, but under conditions of stress this antioxidant production can be severely impaired. Fruits and vegetables, including cranberries, provide an excellent source of additional antioxidants.

How much cranberry juice should I drink a day?

Drinking 8 – 16 oz of cranberry juice cocktail each day is recommended to maintain urinary tract heath and prevent urinary tract infections.

Where can I find cranberry recipes?

Our Recipe section contains many delicious and healthy cranberry recipes.

Can I freeze fresh cranberries?

Yes. In fact cranberries freeze very well either whole or sliced. When sealed in an airtight container, frozen cranberries will keep for nearly a year.

Are cranberries native to North America?

Yes. Cranberry, blueberry and the Concord grape are the only 3 native North American fruits that are commonly cultivated.

When were cranberries first farmed commercially?

Henry Hall, a Revolutionary War veteran, planted the first commercial cranberry bed in Dennis Massachusetts in 1816.

How many cranberries are grown each year?

In 2018, a total of 1.3 billion pounds of cranberries were produced in the U.S., Canada and Chile. The U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee website provides current and historical crop statistics and information for the U.S. only.

Do cranberries grow in or under water?

No. It is a common misconception that cranberries are grown in water. Water is used during harvest to float the fruit for easier collection, and during the winter months to protect the plants from freezing and desiccation. The rest of the year the fruit is grown on dry beds.

Do cranberries grow on a tree or a bush?

Neither. The American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a low-growing, vining, woody perennial plant with small, alternate, oval leaves. The plant produces horizontal stems or runners up to 6 feet (2 m) long. Short vertical branches 2 to 8 inches (5 to 20 cm) in height, called uprights, grow from buds on the runners and produce both vegetative and fruit buds. Each fruit bud may contain as many as seven flowers.