By Jordan Valinsky, CNN Business
Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries of Thanksgiving is the cranberry sauce — and we’re not even talking about why people eat it: What’s the deal with the upside-down labels on Ocean Spray cans of the stuff?
Observant consumers have noticed that the Ocean Spray labels on jellied cranberry sauce cans are flipped, meaning the rounded edge that’s typically on the bottom of most canned goods is on top of Ocean Spray cranberry sauce cans.
According to Ocean Spray, that’s intentional: It creates a seamless serving experience.
The cans are “filled and labeled upside down with the rounded edge on top and the sharp can-like edge on the bottom to keep the jelly whole,” an Ocean Spray spokesperson told CNN Business. “That creates an air bubble on the rounded side (a.k.a. the top) so customers can “swipe the edge of the can with a knife to break the vacuum and the log will easily slide out.”
This process has been in use since the early 2000s.
Costs are up
Ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal will cost shoppers 13.5% more this year compared to last, the market research firm IRI predicted earlier this month, using data from October.
That includes cranberry sauce, whose price is up about 18% compared to last year because cranberry crops are smaller this year, sparking a supply squeeze.
The crop’s harvest in Wisconsin was “lower than expected,” said Tom Lochner, executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, which produces a big slice of the country’s cranberries.
“We’re scratching our heads,” he said, and working with experts to nail down the cause. For now, his best bet is switches from cold to hot to cool weather in cranberry-growing areas.
“We still rebounded from last year,” he said, adding that there should be no shortage of cranberries this year.
Data from research firm IRI shows that fresh cranberries are actually cheaper this year than last, with prices dropping 9.9%. But that’s not the case for prepared cranberry sauces, where prices are up.
Lochner pointed out that processors set those prices, not growers, and that there are higher input costs unrelated to berries — like “processing the fruit and getting it to market.”
Ocean Spray isn’t immune either. The company, which is a farmer co-operative, told CNN Business that it has also has had to hike prices of its canned cranberry sauce, but declined to give a specific percentage.
“Like many companies, we have had to modestly increase the cost of our sauce products during the past year—the first time in close to 10 years—to reflect current macro-economic pressures and cost of production for our 700 family-farmers,” a company spokesperson said.
–CNN Business’ Danielle Wiener-Bronner contributed to this report.
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FAQs
If the can were stored with the air bubble on the bottom for an extended time, the cranberry sauce would “crush it,” rendering it useless. By turning the can upside down, meaning that Ocean Spray attaches the label upside down, consumers will store the can with the air bubble at the top.
Why are the labels on cranberry sauce upside down? ›
According to Ocean Spray, that's intentional: It creates a seamless serving experience. The cans are “filled and labeled upside down with the rounded edge on top and the sharp can-like edge on the bottom to keep the jelly whole,” an Ocean Spray spokesperson told CNN Business.
Do most Americans hate cranberry sauce? ›
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans surveyed said they dislike cranberry sauce.
What is the origin of Ocean Spray cranberry sauce? ›
Urann started selling his canned cranberry sauce in 1912 under the name Ocean Spray Preserving Company. In 1930, he joined forces with two competitors, independent cranberry growers John Makepeace and Elizabeth Lee, to form a cranberry cooperative. The co-op began offering canned cranberry sauce nationwide in 1941.
Why is cranberry sauce so expensive? ›
Costs are up
That includes cranberry sauce, whose price is up about 18% compared to last year because cranberry crops are smaller this year, sparking a supply squeeze.
What takes the bitterness out of cranberry sauce? ›
"Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."
How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce? ›
Add A Splash Of Vinegar
Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar. While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries.
What is America's least favorite Thanksgiving dish? ›
And the least favorite side dish for Americans on Thanksgiving is -- green bean casserole. 31.4 percent of people surveyed do not like it.
What's healthier homemade or store bought cranberry sauce? ›
Nutritional Facts Face-Off
We can see there is a significant difference in the nutrition facts between the two sauces. The homemade cranberry sauce has nearly half the calories, carbohydrates, and sugars compared to the store brand. It also has more fiber as well as potassium!
Do Brits eat cranberry sauce? ›
Cranberry sauce is often eaten in conjunction with turkey for Christmas in the United Kingdom and Canada or Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, and it is only rarely eaten or served in other contexts there.
We're farmer-owned, so we're proud to deliver 100% of profits from our farmer-owners' fruit back to them. At Ocean Spray, our farmers have been putting their hearts into growing the fruit for generations.
Does Ocean Spray use real cranberries? ›
It's 100% juice made with the crisp, clean taste of real cranberries straight from the bog. Plus, it has no added sugar, a daily dose of vitamin C, and one cup of fruit, so it tastes good and it's good for you, too.
Who makes the most cranberry sauce? ›
5,062,500 gallons of jellied cranberry sauce are consumed by Americans every holiday season. 70 million is the number of cans of cranberry sauce Ocean Spray produces a year.
Why is cranberry sauce packaged upside down? ›
But why? Ocean Spray says this is to get the cranberry sauce out in one intact piece. “The rounded part of the can that looks like the bottom has an air bubble in it,” Ocean Spray's representative explains. The bubble is there so you can “break the seal the sauce makes with the can.”
Can you eat too much cranberry sauce? ›
If you take blood thinners, ask your doctor if you can safely eat and drink cranberries. You may still be able to enjoy them but in small amounts. You have stomach problems. Eating too many cranberries can cause stomachache and diarrhea, especially in children.
Why do people eat cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving? ›
According to Wick, the tart fruit became popularly used to create cranberry sauce for turkey and other types of meat in the late 17th century. Within a hundred more years, cranberry sauce became a staple dish in the U.S., with its popularity taking off even more throughout the 19th century.
How do you display cranberry sauce? ›
Plating a Can of Jellied Cranberry Sauce
The traditional way of serving jellied cranberry sauce is sliced into rounds. With the column set on its side, slice into ¼-inch thick rounds and then arrange the slices on a serving platter. Serve the slices plain, garnished as desired, or read on for easy upgrades.
How do you fix too much liquid in cranberry sauce? ›
Try reducing the sauce down even further so more of the liquid cooks off and the mixture thickens. If that doesn't work, add a thickener like gelatin, pectin or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked into juice or water). Let the sauce cool before refrigerating to completely set.
What is cranberry sauce supposed to go on? ›
Cranberry sauce can be used with a variety of meats, including turkey, pork, chicken, and ham. Cranberry sauce is often eaten in conjunction with turkey for Christmas in the United Kingdom and Canada or Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, and it is only rarely eaten or served in other contexts there.
What happens if you overcook cranberry sauce? ›
If your cranberry sauce is too thick, it's most likely overcooked. When you cook cranberries (or any berries), they burst, releasing pectin—a natural thickener. The key to a perfect consistency is to allow some but not all of the cranberries to split open—something you'll achieve with less time on the stove.
