Cranberrylicious!

Lovelette Brooks • Lifestyle Editor

For ages, cranberry has been that cosmopolitan ingredient used in sauces, chutneys and pies. With its tart, bittersweet flavour, it has also gone down smoothly as a finisher to rum, whiskey, gin, vodka, or any liqueur of choice.

The delicious berry beverage is a mixologist's dream, and a favourite quencher which has caught the attention of two drink giants - PepsiCo and Ocean Spray.

Ocean Spray Flavour Splash, distributed locally by Pepsi Jamaica, hit the local market in September to very positive reviews. Danielle Barnes, brand manager for Ocean Spray at Pepsi, said it's all in the cranberry.

"Ocean Spray is the number one cranberry-growing and manufacturing outfit in the United States and Canada, and the percentage of pure juice in the Flavour Splash is higher so consumers are getting value for money, and they know," she told journalists on a recent tour of Ocean Spray facilities and cranberry bog in Massachusetts.

"For more than two decades, PepsiCo has been on a journey, expanding beyond our iconic soft-drink brands to offer top-selling brands for every beverage occasion and every consumer lifestyle," said Enrique Cortinas, director of strategic alliances for PepsiCo Americas Beverages. He explained that the Ocean Spray alliance is one of the high-profile boutique brands that his company seeks to do business with.

HEALTHIER OUTLOOK

He told journalists on a tour of Ocean Spray headquarters in Lakeville, Massachusetts, that the company's foray outside of the soft-drink market is part of its "healthier futures" outlook.

"We are looking to improve the nutritional profile of our products by reducing the average sodium levels by 25 per cent, reducing saturated fats by 15 per cent for our food portfolio and reducing 25 per cent added sugar in our drinks," Cortinas outlined, giving a timeline of 2020 for completion of these innovations.

Alejandra Rullan from PepsiCo Human Sustainability Department also spoke to the new thrust of the company to present a healthier mix of products to consumers.

"Our department aims to increase the amount of whole grains, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy in the global Pepsi portfolio. An US$80 million investment was made in 2011 to cut out all trans-fat from all foods in PepsiCo in Latin America and Caribbean regions," she said, adding that the company also wants to create healthy snacks for kids.

An agricultural cooperative, Ocean Spray, which boasts a "legacy of innovation" since 1930, is owned by more than 700 cranberry growers. The company manufactures and distributes a variety of drinks and cocktails of which the Caribbean and Latin America are big markets.

The eight-decades-old company is the largest producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks in North America and has copped the best-selling label in the canned and bottled juice category since 1981.

SMALL FRUIT, BIG BENEFITS

Food was invited to HQ Ocean Spray in Lakeville, Massachusetts, and got an insight into the US$2 billion company. A small fruit with big benefits - all agree.

"Cranberries contain a unique combination of antioxidants and other bio-active flavonoids that help with urinary tract infections, and a host of other illnesses and our analytical and biochemist scientists here at Ocean Spray labs are constantly doing research on the health benefits of this fruit," said Christina Khoo, senior manager research services, Ocean Spray.

Cranberry Facts:

Generic juice of a specific small acidic red berry.

Juice cocktails can be paired with anything or enjoyed directly off the shelf.

Dried cranberries can be used like raisins - crasins.

Has crisp, clean taste when eaten straight from the bog.

A delicious way to get your daily dose of vitamin C and unique cranberry compounds.

The ruby red colour has an elegant translucent sparkle, which makes it perfect for entertaining.

They grow in large bogs on low vines, mainly in Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts and Wisconsin.

Sold in over 50 countries.

Found in more than 800 products worldwide.

Employs 2,000 people worldwide.


Pumpkin Cranberry Cake

Ingredients

Cake Batter

2 cups Bisquick (or baking) mix

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1tbsp ground cinnamon

11/2tsp baking powder

4 eggs

2 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

3/4 cup Craisins® Dried Cranberries

Icing

2 cups confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)

1 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp water


Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 325ºF. Spray bundt pan with Pam cooking spray or shortening.

2. Using an electric mixer, combine and beat together all ingredients for the cake batter.

3. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35-45 minutes. To test if it is ready, insert a toothpick into the cake. If it comes out clean (no wet liquid), the cake is done.

4. Cool for 20 minutes before removing from the bundt pan.

5. To prepare the icing, whisk together all of the icing ingredients. Drizzle over the cake once the cake has cooled.

Serves 16-20 people.


Chicken Salad with Craisins®

Ingredients

Chicken salad

3 cups diced cooked chicken

1/2 cup Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries

1/2 cup Hellman's Light Mayonnaise

1tbsp brown sugar

6-8 croissants

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together all chicken salad ingredients; set aside.

2. To assemble sandwiches: Place 1/2 cup of chicken salad on slice croissant. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes 6-8 sandwiches.