Highbush Cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Berry

40 pairings

The highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum, also treated as Viburnum opulus var. americanum) is a tart, translucent red berry borne in flat clusters on a large deciduous shrub native to northern North America. It is not a true cranberry — it belongs to the moschatel family, not the heaths — but its bright acidity, ruby colour and single flat seed make it a classic wild substitute for cranberry in sauces, jellies and juice.

Picking a good onedrag

UnderripeOverripe

Translucent scarletThe best set for jelly. Cook with a little water and strain the flat stones out — this is not fruit eaten raw by the handful.Buy it

Colour in the clusterTranslucent scarlet, light through it

The squeezeFirm, taut skin, springs back

Stalks and clusterStalks red-green and springy, none dropped

SmellSour and bright, the musk sitting behind

Reading a just ripe one. Move the slider and the rest of this page — nutrition, pairings — re-scores with it.

Preparing