Despite the similarity of cranberries and lingonberries to each other, differences still exist between them. Consider the features of each berry.
Let's try to figure out what lingonberries and cranberries are similar to, what are the differences.
Names
Translated from Latin, “cranberry” means “sour ball”, Europeans called it a crane-berry for the similarity of flower stalks with a crane neck, and in England - “bear mountain”, because cranberries, along with forest raspberries, are a favorite treat of clubfoot. The name "lingonberry" has a solemnly pompous translation - "vine vine from Mount Ida." In Russia, it has long been called the core, logs, boletus.
Characteristics of the taste of berries
Representatives of one family of heather, cranberries and lingonberries - berries are not only tasty, but also extremely useful, although they differ in composition. Cranberries are common in northern and temperate latitudes in marshy, mossy areas. The acid taste is given to it by the presence in the pulp of berries of acids in the amount of 3.4% and sugars - 6%. Cranberries can survive on bushes under the snow, waiting for a long winter, and in the spring turn into a full crop. However, it is slightly inferior to the autumn collection in the content of ascorbic acid, but the berries become noticeably sweeter.
Lingonberries, which have a wider distribution area, are more neutral in taste, they have less acids (only 2%), and sugars - up to 8.7%. This unpretentious perennial grows in coniferous and mixed forests, is able to bear fruit, growing in one place for almost three hundred years. The berry ripens in September.
Cranberries and Lingonberries: External Differences
Cranberry berries are slightly larger: dark red, poured, glossy, reaching a diameter of 0.8-1 cm, they let the juice at the slightest compression. Lingonberries are noticeably smaller in size - about 0.6 cm. This maroon-red berry has a slightly flattened shape and a completely different pulp structure: dense, which is impossible to obtain from a fountain of juice.
Lingonberries and cranberries, the differences between which we consider, differ in foliage. Cranberries have smaller leaves, their length is not more than 1.5 cm, and their width is 0.3-0.6 cm. Lingonberry bushes are decorated with larger leaves, their length reaches 2-3 cm, and their width is 1.5 cm. But the shape of the leaves of these plants betrays their kinship and belonging to the same family. Both species have oval leaves attached to the stem with short petioles.
Chemical composition
Cranberries are unique in their useful properties, they are considered to be the most useful berry, which combines vitamins B, K, C, nicotinic and folic acids, an amazing set of trace elements - iron, magnesium, boron, potassium, iodine, calcium, silver, phosphorus, not without reason. manganese and others
No less diverse is the chemical composition of lingonberry berries, not inferior to cranberries in usefulness. It contains vitamins B, A, E, C, a number of organic acids, such as nicotinic, tartaric, benzoic, ursolic, salicylic, as well as trace elements, valuable mineral salts, pectins and tannins.
Despite some differences in the composition of berries, it is impossible to judge the level of usefulness of plants such as lingonberries and cranberries. Differences in form and chemical composition are completely unimportant when it comes to the benefits of these berries. These plants are equally appreciated by connoisseurs of traditional medicine.
Useful plants: cranberries and lingonberries
Differences in berries in appearance and chemical composition do not affect the recognition of these perennials as the strongest natural antiseptics and antibiotics. Cranberries and lingonberries have a pronounced anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antipyretic effect. Fragrant teas from these berries have long been used by northern peoples as medicines for colds, a debilitating cough, headaches, and kidney stones.
The gruel of berries was used to treat wounds, including purulent ones. Cranberries, due to their antimicrobial properties, neutralize urinary tract infections. Its use normalizes blood pressure, stimulates the digestive tract, lowers blood cholesterol and significantly improves the quality of life for diabetes of various severity.
Lingonberry is a well-known anti-zingotic agent. It, like cranberries, is used in the treatment of bronchitis, colds, sore throats. In addition to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities, it has a strong diuretic, anti-rheumatic and choleretic effect, alleviating painful conditions in urinary tract infections, and normalizes liver and kidney function. Lingonberry fruit drinks help relieve a hangover syndrome.
It is noted that during pregnancy both cowberries and cranberries have an undeniable benefit. The differences of these plants are not significant at the same time, together they provide an excellent supply of valuable substances for the mother and the unborn child, control the work of the bladder, preventing the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms.
Contraindications
Paradoxically, not a single plant is endowed with absolute benefits. Lingonberries and cranberries are no exception. The differences in their effect on the body are in the intensity of lowering blood pressure. Cranberries have a more pronounced effect, but both berries are not recommended for use by individuals with low blood pressure. These plants are not shown for gastric ulcer and various degrees of exacerbation of diseases of the liver and duodenum.
So unique plants from one family differ - cranberries and lingonberries. Differences (photos confirm) between species, of course, exist. But their undoubted benefit and universality of application unites them.