Contrary to popular belief, cranberries are not grown in water. The plant is a type of low-growing vine that spreads its roots over a large area, similar to the strawberry. Cranberry plants prefer a cool climate with sandy, acidic soil. From the time of planting in specially-prepared rectangular fields, it usually takes 3 years before the vines will begin to bear fruit economically.
The combination of warm, sunny days and cool nights give the cranberries their lovely 'pinkish-red' hue. During their growth stage prior to ripening, cranberries are actually white. It is only the coming of autumn that generates the beautiful desired bright red colors. In the redness is also found the beneficial flavonoid compounds called anthocyanins. With their renowned anti-oxidant, antimicrobial and cholesterol-lowering properties, the anthocyanins help to make the cranberry a very healthy food. They can help can help to rid the human body of the free radicals often associated with the development of many chronic illnesses, as well as help fight urinary tract infection and cardiovascular diseases. The misconception about cranberries growing in water is most likely due to the fact that wild cranberries typically grew in or near marshes. When large-scale cultivation began, the growers realized that, since cranberries contain many small air pockets and float in water, it would be much easier to harvest the berries by making use of their natural flotation. And so, the current method of growing cranberries was developed. Each field is surrounded by man-made levees 4 to 6 feet (1.5 - 2 metres) high. When harvest time comes (usually late September or early October, depending on latitude), the fields are flooded to a depth of about 18 inches (50 cm). While the plants are underwater, mechanical beaters are used to remove the fruit from the plant without causing any physical harm to the vines. The berries, now freed from their stalks, float free to the surface of the water. The wind pushes all of the berries to one corner of the field, and then the berries are pumped into trucks for onward transport to the receiving and grading station. At the sorting and grading station, cranberries are first cleaned, and any accompanying plant material (leaves, vines, etc.) is removed. The berries are then sorted by color and overall condition into the various grades. At this point, some of the Grade A fruit is packed for retail sale, just in time to make it into the stores before Thanksgiving. In order to assure year-round availability, the rest of the harvest is immediately frozen to seal in the natural goodness. The frozen berries may then be processed into various products throughout the year, as demand warrants. | 
