Thursday 9 October 2008

Cranberries - Nutritive value fruit


The smaller cranberry's botanical name, vaccinium oxycoccos, comes from the Latin vacca, meaning cow because cows seem to be fond of them. Oxycoccos refers to the sharp leaves of the plant. This variety is primarily known in Europe.
In North America, the large-berry variety is V. macrocarpon, from macro which means large, with oval leaves. The English word cranberry is the shortened version of craneberry, which came from the plant's flowers that dip down and resemble the head of a crane. These birds are also fond of the berries which grow in bogs where cranes make their home.
In Canada, cranberries are often referred to by their Amerindian name, atoca. Cranberries are also known as bounceberries, because they literally bounce if dropped when fresh and bearberry, since bears also love them. Highbush cranberries (Viburnum trilobum) are a completely different fruit of the honeysuckle family, although similar in appearance.
Highbush cranberries grow on a shrub with pointed leaves where cranberries grow on a vine with oval leaves. Highbush cranberries have a single seed which is not eaten. They can be used interchangebly in any recipe using pureed cranberries, once the seeds have been removed using a sieve. The Pilgrims learned all about cranberries from the Native Americans, who recognized the natural preservative power (benzoic acid) in the berries and often mixed them into pemmican (dried meat mixture) to extend its shelf life. Cranberry sauce came into the picture via General Ulysses S. Grant who ordered it served to the troops during the seige of Petersburg in 1864.
Cranberry sauce was first commercially canned in 1912 by the Cape Cod Cranberry Company which marketed the product as "Ocean Spray Cape Cod Cranberry Sauce." A merger with other growers evolved into the well-known Ocean Spray corporation now famous for their cranberry products.


There's a good reason why cranberry juice is recommended for urinary tract infections. In 1998, researchers at Rutgers found that cranberry juice prevents E. coli bacteria from sticking to the cells of the urinary tract, so it flushes out of the body in the urine. (Note: If you think you have such an infection, be sure to seek medical attention. Do not self-treat.) Cranberries also contain a potent vasodilator which opens up bronchial tubes, and is a good source of Vitamin C to help enhance immunity and aid in calcium absorption.
Your cranberry juice can be seen in all the Hypermarkets in tetra packs distributed by DABUR INDIA , branded as 'REAL' fruit juice. And ofcourse the liquor worshippers can have it in ' Cranberry Bacardi Breezer '
Happy guzzling !!!!

16 comments:

Vimal Parmar said...

Naresh: Thanx for the info. But then you did not inform us that you are now with DABUR ;-)

Nargis said...

Naresh.....

'vaccinium oxycoccos'.... Baap re baap! This ij berry berry berry berry dipphicult to pronounce ;-}
Actually my dotter loves cranberry juice. Never knew it had so many properties...:-}

Naresh said...

Vimal bhai

Suun chhe ?
Me in FMCG and that too in Dabur. Oh no ! I am out and out and automobile enthusiast , which gives me the bread and no butter.

Its only the other day amongst the medley of Mango, Chikoo, Guava, Strawberry, Litchi, Orange - (the commoners) stumbled upon Cranberry-the ' face in the crowd ' at Spencers ! A stinging sweet and sour taste which re-kindles many a taste in your bud !

My Boss in fact has a fad for Cranberry Bacardi - & has no penchant for the 'heavy stuff' which we guzzle.

Hence made me browse thru scores of Cranberry archives before I thought of sharing this for the benefit our friends.

arun bhatt said...

ganpat chal ganpat,
thoda ice thoda soda thoda paani mila...

Faiyaz said...

Cranberry Juice? Medically Speaking, it’s For Women Only....

Guys try this out and let me know - I'm a little hesitant though!

Reena said...

I think its one of those tastes that you either love or hate. I love it. Ron hates it. Regardless, I have looked into its properties and it is supposed to be good for you. Cranberry Baccardi Breezer hmmm...

Naresh said...

Faiyaz bhai

Brrr......do you mean it will increase oestrogen levels in you. Egad!....not contemplating a trans-gender or transvestite at this stage !

Obviously a male bastion will crumble if we go by your thought.

Alps.. trust I am not turning out to be a MCP once again !

Faiyaz said...

Kaise Kahoon? Kaase kahoon?

Eesh, Eesh,
BERRY Piya, Bada Bedardi!!!

Stanley David said...

And here I was thinaking that this cranberry was how Punjabis pronounced the name of Kiran Bedi....

arun bhatt said...

thtat's a good one stanely!

Tasneem said...

A handful of craizins (dried cranberry) tossed in a salad makes it taste super.
Faiyaz,
men also can get UTI, so its safe for you guys to have cranberry in whatever form! Its got nothing to do with your hormones. So don't panic!!!

Faiyaz said...

Dr Tas,

If all Men consume Cranberry, Sure enough the globe will soon be a SAFE place and Men species will face extinction!
Yeh Andar Ki Baath Hain!

Faiyaz said...

Dr Tas,

Thanks for the Information on UTI Mutual Fund...I mean Tips that is Mutually beneficial.
Off to a Super Market to grab a Tetra Pack!

Tasneem said...

Heh heh! Mutual Fund?
Statutory warning- Beware of the global crash.

Nargis said...

Hey Tas.....

Hearing about 'craizins' for the first time. What exactly are they...cranberries without the zing or raisins that have gone crazy? Hahahaha.....

Tasneem said...

Craizins are soaked in sugar syrup and then dried. They taste like raisins. Their bright red colour looks attractive in salads and their tartness adds to its zing.