Cranberries and sugar

Oh boy. This is an article on the meeting in DC on the cranberry caucus.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-24/cranberry-nutrition-standards/55795734/1

 

Ok, so here are some photos of cranberries in China!

So here are our cranberries in China!  No bottles just the waxy paper bottles. Please note that even in China they list % cranberry content…25%!  Not bad! (Still want more though)

 

The cranberry measurement debate, from the source: Complete Phytochemical Solutions

http://www.phyto-sol.com/CompSol_V4/Complete_Phytochemical_Solutions_files/2012-02-20%20Technical%20Bulletin%20.pdf

This is the link to Complete’s webpage and announcement of the efforts to commericalize a test for PAC in cranberry.  Check it out!

Wal-mart to label healthy foods…this is great news and what we are all about!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/business/walmart-to-add-great-for-you-label-to-healthy-foods.html?_r=2

So this article is a few weeks old (thanks Mary Brown!) but still right on the money.  Wal-mart is taking the lead in healthy foods.  As cranberry growers, we know that we grow a healthy fruit.  Yes, it is a bit on the tart side, and yes it needs sweetening for all but the most stalwart.  Pick your sweetener, as they are all available.  We need to stop apologizing for the added sugar!  Sweeteners makes cranberry palatable  and cranberries are GOOD FOR YOU.  They are available in every combination.  Our goal at United Cranberry is to identify those products with high cranberry content…and we are working towards our seal of approval.  With the help of companies like Wal-mart, consumers are going to have all the information they need to make the right choice.

Zero Carb Cranberry post- do cranberrys really make your arteries more elastic?

-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzanne-omalley/american-heart-month_b_1280482.html

So this post has a lot of truth to it, and anyone who reads this blog know that I am all about content in cranberry products.  My question for Suzanne (and I will ask her) is what about 100% cranberry juice? It does exist out there, and while not easy to drink “straight”  it is nothing but cranberry. Hmmm

Cranberry flavored water? I didn’t know about this one

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120216/cook/cook5.html

 

Must be a international line, this is found in Jamica. Check it out.

Simply Cranberry is on the shelves!

http://www.bevnet.com/news/2012/simply-introduces-simply-cranberry-cocktail-and-simply-lemonade-with-mango

I’ve seen it in Wausau, WI at the Pic and Save….so I am sure it is everywhere.  I will post a photo of the label…but this juice is not from concentrate so I’m thinking it is going to be good.  Let’s all give it a try!  I LOVE new cranberry products

Vacation over, time to get back to cranberries!

Ah, the Windward Islands were a dream, but now it is back to snow and cranberries!  Up next, the Cranberry Marketing Committee meeting in Washington DC. Strategic Planning is on the agenda.  How can the CMC work for us growers?  It is certainly on my mind.  We will discuss the crop just delivered, and look at crop projections for the 2012 crop.  Certainly sales are up and prices are increasing.  I will have an update from the CMC, if you have any thoughts, call or email me.  Call your CMC rep and make sure they know what is on your mind.

new clinical trial on cranberry juice and children sponsored by Ocean Spray

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Cranberry-shows-urinary-tract-benefits-for-children-Study

Isn’t it amazing that I can blog from 39,000 feet?  technology is amazing!  Anyway, the above is a new study just out on the effects of cranberry on children and UTIs.  Looks promising!

Juice makers are put on notice, and we have to agree….

http://cspinet.org/new/201202011.html This is an article about juice makers and how they put tiny amounts of something in a bottle and make health claims.  As cranberry growers, I think we would agree that our favorite, healthy berry should be front and center in many, many drinks.  MOST people can’t eat/drink cranberries “straight up” so to speak and need a little sweetener.  I say, choose your sweetener.  We all know that the bottlers use every type of sweetener out there…cane sugar, beet sugar, agave, apple juice, pear juice, Splenda, Truvia….just read the labels, people.  It is mostly on the label.  The only thing missing is how much cranberry is in the bottle!

The juice company experts have told me that they make juices that people like (they test the heck out of them) AND are affordable.  They also tell me that people SAY they want one thing (more nutrition) but make their purchases according to taste and price.  I think they are missing a whole bunch of people that want the juice companies to tell them straight up, what is in the bottle, how much of it and spell it out.  How about reallygoodjuice  branded juice with all the particulars on the bottle?  What do you think?