The red power berry contains many very healthy ingredients. The cranberry is rich in vitamin C, phosphorus, potassium, iron, antioxidants and tannins. Of course, fruits freshly picked from the bush contain significantly more vitamins and minerals than processed ones. Due to the high proportion of vitamin C and tannins, however, the cranberry tastes very sour and bitter - and is therefore only suitable for raw consumption to a limited extent.

Cranberries are rich in vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known in technical terms as "ascorbic acid", has a sour taste. You can convince yourself of this if you buy and try ascorbic powder in the pharmacy, for example. For this reason, fruits that are particularly rich in vitamin C are usually also quite acidic. With an average content of 7.5 to 10 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams, cranberries even contain more of this vitamin than lemons, for example - and taste just as sour. At the same time, the equally high proportion of tannins makes the fruit bitter.

Processed cranberries have a milder taste

Some people like this taste and therefore like to snack on cranberries straight from the bush. If you don't like raw cranberries, you can try jam, jelly or juice. Dried berries also taste much milder - especially if they have been sweetened with a little sugar or honey. Sauces or fruit puree made from cranberries are particularly tasty, which - like cranberries - can be eaten with hearty dishes with venison or cheese. However, processed or boiled cranberries often contain a lot of sugar, although in principle this would not be necessary due to the high pectin content.

Only eat raw cranberries in small amounts

If you like raw cranberries, you should still not eat too much of them - especially if you are taking medication that is absorbed through the intestinal mucosa. The components of the cranberry can impede the absorption of some medicines, they also have a flatulent and constipating effect when eaten in large quantities.

tips and tricks

You can make raw cranberries more palatable by sprinkling them with sugar or drizzled with honey or maple syrup. Use about 50 grams of sugar for 200 grams of fresh cranberries.

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