Coloring up

The cranberries are starting to color up... The shorter days and cooler temperatures signal the plant to go into dormancy. As the plant shuts down for the season, nutrient flow slows down and the vine begins to change to a maroon hue.

The fruit turns to first a bright red... then a darker red. This red color is anthrocyan, a pigment in the dermal layer of the fruit. This is the same healthful pigment contained in blueberries, and red grapes. There are other constituents in the fruit, phytochemicals, or plant chemicals, that that make cranberries and other fruit and vegetables good for YOU. Canada's Food Guide suggests 7 - 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. :-)