One of the best benefits of travel is learning new things. As an example, I always thought cranberries grew in water, but it turns out they don’t!
The vines grow in peat and sand but can be harvested wet or dry.
To wet harvest, the peat/sand is laid in a pit and later flooded with water to create a bog. A large beater is brought in to knock the berries loose from their vines and then the berries are skimmed off of the top of the water. If not done quickly, the berries absorb water and lose some of their flavor. Later they are pruned before packaging.
To dry harvest, the Furford Harvester is pushed through the field and it picks, prunes, and collects the berries all at the same time!
Sending many thanks to the Cranzberry Museum and Gift Shop in Grayland, WA for teaching me something new and to Mr. Furford for making cranberry harvesting easier.
Ode to the Furford Cranberry Harvester
Amidst peat and sand were vines do lay,
A crimson harvest comes to play.
The Furford Harvester, sleek and deft,
Navigates fields first right, then left.
With metal teeth, it gently combs
Through thick green leaves of cranberry homes.
It picks them up and throws them back
Rube Goldberg style, they hit the sack.
From vine to crate the berries leap
A journey rich from sand and peat.
Give thanks to Furford evermore,
When juice and sauce are at your store.
