The red power berry contains many very he althy ingredients. The cranberry is rich in vitamin C, phosphorus, potassium, iron, antioxidants and tannins. Of course, fruits picked fresh from the bush contain significantly more vitamins and minerals than processed ones. However, due to the high content of vitamin C and tannins, the cranberry tastes very sour and bitter - and is therefore only suitable for raw consumption to a limited extent.
Can you eat cranberries raw?
Cranberries can be eaten raw, but their taste is very sour and bitter due to the high vitamin C and tannin content. To improve the taste, the berries can be sweetened with sugar, honey or maple syrup. However, they should only be consumed raw in small quantities.
Cranberries are rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known technically as “ascorbic acid”, has a sour taste. You can see this for yourself if you buy and try ascorbine powder at the pharmacy. For this reason, fruits that are particularly rich in vitamin C are also usually quite acidic. With an average content of 7.5 to 10 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams, cranberries contain more of this vitamin than lemons - and taste just as sour. At the same time, the high proportion of tannins makes the fruits 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 it with jam, jelly or juice. Dried berries also taste significantly milder - especially if they have been sweetened with a little sugar or honey. Sauces or fruit purees made from cranberries are particularly tasty and, like cranberries, can be eaten with savory dishes with game or cheese. However, processed or cooked cranberries often contain a lot of sugar, although in principle this would not be necessary due to the high pectin content.
Eat raw cranberries only in small quantities
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 ingredients in cranberries can hinder the absorption of some medicines and, when eaten in large quantities, they also have a flatulent and constipating effect.
Tips & Tricks
You can make raw cranberries more edible by sprinkling them with sugar or drizzling them with honey or maple syrup. Use about 50 grams of sugar for 200 grams of fresh cranberries.
