We know that cranberries and lingonberries are very similar berries, but is there any difference between them?
Lingonberry and cranberry name
Cranberry from the Latin "oxycoccos" means "sour ball", the first European settlers called it "cranberry", which means "berry crane" because of the similarity of open flowers to a crane's neck. The British called this berry "bearberries" - as they often saw bears eat it.
Lingonberry from the Latin "vaccinium vitis-idaea" means "vine from Mount Ida." It is popularly called boletus, birch, core. And the very name "lumber" means "red".
Lingonberry and cranberry composition
Compared to cranberries, the properties of lingonberries contain more niacin (vitamin PP), phosphorus (16-11 mg), calcium (40-14 mg), mono- and disaccharides (8-3, 8 g).
But the fruits of cranberries contain more iron (600-400 mcg), sodium (89, 7-7 mg), magnesium (12-7 mg), potassium (119-73 mg), organic acids (3, 1-1, 9 g).
Calorie content of lingonberry and cranberry
The calorie content of cranberries is only 26 kcal per 100 g of product, while lingonberries are 43 kcal. The difference is small, but it is still there.
Lingonberry and cranberry flavor
If the cranberries are quite sour, then the lingonberries taste sweet and sour, with a slight bitterness, and have a little mealy pulp. It is much sweeter, as it contains less acids (2%), but more sugar (up to 8, 7%).
Lingonberry and cranberry size and color
Cranberries are slightly larger - about 1 cm, have a dark red color, they immediately give juice at the slightest pressure. Lingonberry is about 0.6 cm in size, colored red, has a higher density.
Lingonberry and cranberry growing area
Lingonberry loves dry places and grows well in conifers on a hill, while cranberries are considered an inhabitant of swamps.
Absolutely all types of the first plant grow in damp places: sphagnum coniferous forests, raised bogs, sometimes they can be found along the swampy shores of lakes.
Lingonberry and cranberry leaves
Cranberry leaves are oblong or ovate with a short petiole, 3 to 15 mm long, 1 to 6 mm wide.
Lingonberry leaves are elliptical or obovate, too, with a short petiole, 2-3 cm long, up to 1.5 cm wide.
These are some of the differences between such similar berries - cranberries and lingonberries. In general, both of them are useful and are a real source of vitamins for our body!
