About The River

Friday, November 7, 2014

On The Road Friday ~ Cranberry Harvest in Wisconsin

 Cranberry Harvest in Wisconsin
Our trip today will take us to Copper River Cranberry Marsh, Merrill, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is the number one producer of cranberries in the United States.

Contrary to popular belief, cranberries do not grow under water or in standing water. Water is used to harvest cranberries. The beds are flooded to harvest the berries. The berries are gently removed from the vine.

 A beautiful day for harvest.
Click the link below for  more detail on how cranberries are harvested. We captured the start and finish of harvesting a bed of cranberries in 2013.

 
 Each year I get a bunch of cranberries.  In years past I have made a cranberry sauce, froze cranberries and juiced my berries.
This year I wanted to try drying cranberries. 
I was so happy with how they turned out.
Here is the recipe if you would like to give it a try.

Drying Cranberries
Wash and remove stems. Dip into boiling water until skins crack.
Lay on to your dehydrator tray.
Dry at 130 to 140 degrees.
Dry 10 to 18 hours or to how you like the berry.
 
 
I was a bit concerned, my boys would not like the dried cranberries. They do not have a sweetener. I did not need to worry, they liked them. 
Add them to your baked breads and muffins. Toss them on top of your oatmeal, yogurt, and ice cream. 

Thank you for joining me today as we visited a Wisconsin Cranberry Marsh!
Here are a few fun facts you can share with others.

Cranberries are native to North America. The 5 major states cranberries are grown in are:
Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington.

The cranberry was officially named Wisconsin's state fruit on April 5, 2004.

The first cranberry marshes in the state date back to the 1830's, even before Wisconsin was a state.

Cranberries score among the highest of all fruits in antioxidants. Diets including fruits and vegetables with high antioxidant values, like cranberries, may help support memory function and coordination.

17 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos of the harvest! How smart you are to try drying cranberries. They would be delicious in granola. Wishing you and yours a very good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I never really ate cranberries until I moved to WI. Now I love them. I have seen the harvest there, too. One of my daughters attended UW EauClaire so we went right through the heart of cranberry country to visit her. Great post, Carla. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds yummy. Cranberries are my favorite part of Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love cranberries and make cranberry cookies every Christmas. I love them in cooking, dehydrated, in sauce or as my morning juice. Thanks for all the facts and good for you for drying them.
    Hugs,
    JB

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful pictures! We always talk about going to see this, but haven't made it there yet!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love this post. I make coconut cranberry cookies during the holidays. I loved dried cranberries in my morning oatmeal too. Have a lovely weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks like so much fun to watch in person! Glad you got there. And thank you for the tip on dehydrating the berries. I can't wait to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing those, so interesting to see how they grow and get harvested.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to see that in person....what a sight! Interesting facts. I know they are so good for you but I'm not sure you can eat them without sugar...they are so tart. I guess I need to do a google search and see if there is a way to enjoy them without sugar. Sweet hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  10. How fun to see them harvested and then get to buy some to make yummy things with.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for sharing this! A couple years ago we went to Green Bay, and were detoured through some "big" cranberry area's, and I remember wanting to go back in season and see what all happens! I need to make that happen next year! I love that you dried these. I get so discouraged when every package of cranberries I pick up contains so much sweetener. I am going to see if our co-op has any fresh berries next week, and try your method!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cranberry bogs are so beautiful. My daughter loves dried cranberries. I buy them in bulk. How do you like your dehydrator? xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  13. And here i thought all the cranberries were from New England for some reason. I have always loved cranberries and make my own sauce and use the dried cranberries in recipes too. It seems so many different recipes call for them now. I never thought to dry my own! Great idea and the photos are wonderful seeing that many cranberries!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your pictures are beautiful! I was just asking my hubby this past Summer how cranberries are harvested :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. We love dried cranberries on our oatmeal with honey and walnuts. Yum! Dried cranberries are pretty expensive in the store, so if I ever get a dehydrator they will be one of the first things I dry. I"m saving your recipe for that time. Thanks ~ Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  16. What NEAT pictures you have for us today!!! I never knew this was how they harvested the cranberries until they started showing commercials on TV with two guys chit chatting in water surrounded by the berries. I couldn't tell what they were advertising, but it made me google it and was fascinated with it. Cranberries are SOOOO good for you!! But you know that!! Fun photos!!

    ReplyDelete

High Fives from Wisconsin!