This is an individual, first hand (or should I say first mouth) comparison of the small, round fruit called the cranberry. In my test, on comparing dried cranberries, my most important category was taste. There was, surprisingly, quite a difference between the two brands. And with the actual taste test, I was also surprised to find that “taste” had a completely separate category and that was “after taste. And I do mean after taste. Probably, depending upon each individual’s acuity in the taste bud scheme of things, the after taste became a big deciding factor in the selection of which brand of dried cranberries I like the most.
Now, for the record, I am comparing the two most widely available brands that can be found in your common, everyday grocery store. These two brands are Ocean Spray Craisins and the Sunsweet Cranberries. Do not let the Ocean Spray registered name of Craisins fool you. These are not a blend of raisins and cranberries; they just look like little red raisins, which will come into play later when I reveal my selection of the best dried cranberry.
Before I tell you the results of my actual tongue tingling taste test, I will go over some very important information on each brand. If you look around while shopping, you will probably see a large majority of fellow shoppers reading the information on the back of packages. We almost all do this these days because we want to at least appear to be “well informed shopper”. The first important fact we look for is that each of the two companies, Ocean Spray Craisins and Sunsweet Cranberries, both consider 1/3 cup as a “serving”. Ocean Spray Craisins plainly states the “just 1/3 cup of Craisins provides one full serving of fruit”. Sunsweet Cranberries must assume that we know this fact because that is not stated on their package.
Next we get into the critical comparison on which of these two brands has produced the healthiest dried cranberry. We, over weight but none the less health conscious shopper, want to know about the awful word, CALORIES. Both Ocean Spray Craisins and Sunsweet Cranberries are close to the same in calories. Ocean Spray Craisins is 130 calories per serving while Sunsweet Cranberries has 140 calories per serving. Neither company’s product has calories from FAT, no, not even one! The same goes for saturated fat or Trans fat, thank goodness. As well as, no sodium for those of you who might have a blood pressure problem. Now to another bad word these days, depending on which diet you may currently be on. That is, if course, TOTAL CARBOHYDRATES. Ocean Spray Craisins has 33 grams per serving and Sunsweet Cranberries has 35 grams per serving. Both brands claim the same in the good words of DIETARY FIBER. We all know why we need fiber, without it “things” don’t move along like they should. One draw back of this wonderful dried fruit is for diabetics, both brands have SUGAR. Ocean Spray Craisins has 27 grams of sugar per serving while Sunsweet Cranberries has 29 grams. Sorry, but the sugar is necessary. Have you ever tasted a fresh cranberry? A cranberry straight out of the water, straight off the farm and straight out of the package is sour! Thus, without the added sugar, we would think we were eating a small red sour pickle. Also, in both brands, there is no PROTEIN value what so ever.
Now, back to the tastier part of eating dried cranberries, Ocean Spray Craisins and Sunsweet Cranberries, both suggest to sprinkle on yogurt and fruit salads, stir into cookies, muffins, pancakes and breads. Ocean Spray Craisins suggests “tossing into salads and cereal”. Apparently, my version of “tossing” was the literal translation. I had cranberries every where, on the floor, the cabinets taps, even the kitchen sink, everywhere but in my bowl. Maybe they should just say “sprinkle” and loss the “toss”. Sunsweet Cranberries did mention the current “buzz” word, ANTIOXIDANTS on their packaging. Ocean Spray Craisins did not address this issue.
Here is the final, most important test that you have been waiting for, the TASTE TEST. Face it, if it doesn’t taste good, we probably will not eat it, no matter how good it is for us. After seriously trying the dried cranberries in different categories, cooked in, not cooked in, and fresh from the bag, my first choice is Ocean Spray Craisins. This company puts out a quality product! I will explain the differences because I can just hear you saying, “How different can dried cranberries be?” First, Sunsweet Cranberries was too sweet for my taste. I like the sweet and tangy taste of Ocean Spray Craisins. The Craisins have a cleaner, more refreshing taste to it. Sunsweet Cranberries tasted sweeter and left a distinct after taste which I found unpleasant. Other that the taste, Ocean Spray Craisins looked nicer, the cranberries have a nice deep red color as well as being shiny. When you looked at both brands side by side out of the bag you can easily see the difference. Ocean Spray Craisins has cranberries that are whole, individual pieces. They look proud to be Ocean Spray Craisins! Sunsweet Cranberries are in clumps of mashed cranberries and are a dull, dull red color.
Both, Ocean Spray Craisins and Sunsweet Cranberries, have pleasant, fresh looking packages with a sealable top. Ocean Spray Craisins also had 6 oz per package compared to the 5 oz. in the Sunsweet Cranberries bag. As far as price, here locally, Ocean Spray Craisins cost $2.39 and the Sunsweet Cranberries cost $2.79.
After all was said and done, my tasty comparison left me with one obvious favorite. Ocean Spray Craisins was, to me, the best tasting and the best value.
