The main difference between blueberry and cranberry is that blueberry is blue or purple in color and has a sweet and slightly acid taste, while cranberry is red in color and has a sharp and sour taste.
Although blueberry and cranberry are related and belong to the same genus, there are several differences between them. Blueberries are sweet and can be eaten raw, but cranberries have a sharp taste and are rarely eaten raw.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Blueberry
– Definition, Features
2. What is Cranberry
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Blueberry and Cranberry
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Blueberry, Berries, Cranberry
What are Blueberries
Blueberries are sweet blue-black berries that are native to North America. They are small round fruits about 0.2 to 0.6 inches across. Blueberries grow in bushes. They are usually blue or purple in color. They are also plump and juicy. However, blueberries are not very sweet as they have a slightly acidic taste to them. Also, unripe blueberries taste sour. You can eat blueberries raw, frozen, or use them in a variety of food items like salads, smoothies, or baked goods (pancake, muffins, pies, cheesecake, bread, etc.). Besides, they are available in many forms – fresh, canned, frozen, and purred.
Blueberries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. One cup of blueberries typically contains around 48 calories. Research suggests that blueberries can lower the risk of heart diseases, boost brain function, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, prevent urinary infections, and maintain healthy and strong bones. Some research studies have also discovered that eating blueberries can improve our mood.
When buying blueberries, you should always select blueberries that are completely blue in color – ones that have no tinge of red. Another thing to check for is the shimmery silver coating on blueberries, which is a natural protectant. Moreover, it’s also important to buy ripe berries, as blueberries don’t ripen after harvesting.
What are Cranberries
Cranberries are small red tart berries that belong to the genus Vaccinium. They have a very sharp and sour taste, so we rarely eat them raw. In fact, they are often used as a juice, which is sweetened and sometimes blended with other fruits. Canned cranberries and cranberry sauce are also popular products. They can also be used in baking (pies, muffins, cobblers, etc.), salads, jellies, as well as savory dishes. Fresh cranberries are typically shiny and plump. They also tend to have a deep red color and are firm to the touch.
Fresh cranberries mainly contain water, but they also contain fiber and carbs. Moreover, they are also a rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C. One cup of cranberries typically contains around 46 calories. Cranberries are known to prevent urinary tract infections. Other potential benefits of cranberries include the prevention of stomach ulcers and improving heart health.
Difference Between Blueberry and Cranberry
Definition
Blueberries are sweet blue-black berries that belong to the genus Vaccinium, while cranberries are small red tart berries that belong to the genus Vaccinium.
Color
While blueberries are blue or purple in color, cranberries are often bright red in color.
Taste
Blueberries have a sweet and slightly acid taste, while cranberries have a sharp and sour taste.
Uses
Cranberries are not usually eaten fresh. They are mainly used in juices, sauce, jellies, baking, etc. However, blueberries are used in many forms: fresh, canned, frozen, pureed, etc.
Conclusion
Although blueberry and cranberry belong to the same genus, there are several differences between them. The main difference between blueberry and cranberry is that blueberry is blue or purple in color and has a sweet and slightly acid taste, while cranberry is red in color and has a sharp and sour taste.
Reference:
1. Alfaro, Danilo. “What Are Cranberries?” The Spruce Eats.
2. Arnarson, Atli. “Cranberries 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits.” Healthline, Healthline Media.
3. Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “Learn How to Select and Store Blueberries.” The Spruce Eats.
4. Higuera, Valencia. “What Are Blueberries? Nutrition, Health Benefits, Recipes, More.” EverydayHealth.com.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Blueberries” By LanaDelRey – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Backdrop-background-berry-cranberry” (CC0) via Pixabay
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