their shape and substance when baked The pigments can turn odd shades of green if cooked with alkaline ingredients (for example, baking soda in muffins) Cranberry and Relatives Cranberries are fruits of the North American perennial vine Vaccinium macrocarpon, which is native to low, swampy areas of northern states from New England to the Midwest Cultivation and efforts at improvement began in the 19th century, and the familiar jelly-like cranberry sauce was born early in the 20th century when a large producer decided to process his damaged berries into a canned puree Cranberries can be harvested dry, with a comb-like machine, or wet, by flooding the bog Dry-harvested berries keep better, for several months Cranberries store well for a couple of reasons One is their high acidity, exceeded only by lemons and limes, and the main obstacle to eating them straight The other is their very high content of phenolic compounds (up to 200 milligrams per 100 grams), some of which are antimicrobial and probably protect the fruit in its damp habitat Many of these phenolic materials are also useful to us, some as antioxidants and others as antimicrobials One example is benzoic acid, now a common preservative in prepared foods A particular pigment precursor in cranberries (also found in blueberries) prevents bacteria from adhering to various tissues in the human body, and so helps prevent urinary tract infections The spicy aroma of cranberries is created by a combination of terpenes and spicy phenolic derivatives (cinnamates, benzoates, vanillin, almondy benzaldehyde) Some of its phenolic compounds contribute a notable astringency Cranberries are rich in pectin, which is why a barely cooked puree thickens immediately into a sauce; it’s also why cranberries macerated in alcohol may cause ...other is their very high content of phenolic compounds (up to 200 milligrams per 100 grams), some of which are antimicrobial and probably protect the fruit in its damp habitat Many of these phenolic materials are also... prevents bacteria from adhering to various tissues in the human body, and so helps prevent urinary tract infections The spicy aroma of cranberries is created by a combination of terpenes and spicy phenolic derivatives (cinnamates, benzoates,... useful to us, some as antioxidants and others as antimicrobials One example is benzoic acid, now a common preservative in prepared foods A particular pigment precursor in cranberries (also found in blueberries)