It’s cranberry season, the special time of year when the vibrant red fruit adorns our tables and even becomes synonymous with fall. Cranberries are considered a super fruit because of their high nutrient and antioxidant content. Research has found that the nutrients in cranberries are linked to improving immune function, decreasing blood pressure, and even the preventing certain types of cancer.
Americans consume over 400 million pounds of cranberries annually—20% of which occurs just on the week of Thanksgiving. But where do they come from, and how are they harvested?
What Is A Cranberry Bog?
Cranberry bogs are wetland environments characterized by thick sphagnum moss, acidic waters, and spongy peat. During the growing season, the bog remains dry; it is only during harvest time that farmers flood the bog. This controlled flooding raises the water level just above the cranberry vines, prompting the berries to float free.
The unique bog environment also houses a myriad of tiny creatures, all of whom play a role in the complex ecosystem. Among these residents, however, are the often-feared bog spiders.
What Is A Bog Spider?
Commonly referred to as bog spiders, these small creatures—about the size of a penny—thrive in North America’s wetlands. Unlike many spiders that spin webs, bog spiders exhibit a unique hunting style: they lie in wait just beneath the water’s surface, poised to capture unsuspecting prey like insects and small aquatic creatures. This term encompasses various species that inhabit these wetland areas, including wolf spiders, known for being keen predators.
Bog spiders are generally harmless to humans, lacking potent venom and possessing fangs too small to effectively pierce skin. Nevertheless, their ecological contributions are significant, particularly in pest control within the bogs. Their appetite for insects like cranberry fruitworms and weevils helps mitigate potential threats to the crops, promoting healthier plants.
How Are Cranberries Harvested?
When cranberry harvest season approaches, the bog undergoes a transformation. Farmers flood the bog, encouraging the cranberries to detach from their vines. They employ specialized harvesting machines with spinning reels that knock the berries loose, allowing them to float to the surface. To facilitate this process, additional water is added, helping the berries move freely.
Once collected, tractors circle the bog, gathering the floating cranberries into a tight area for extraction. A powerful pump then siphons the berries and water into waiting trucks, where the cranberries are sorted and cleaned. They pass through grates designed to remove debris, resulting in pristine fruit ready for processing to be turned into all the delightful cranberry treats we know and love.
And, if you’re looking for any delicious cranberry recipes to make this upcoming Thanksgiving, we’ve got you covered.
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