What's The Difference Between Cranberries And Lingonberries?

When it comes to tart, red fruits, most of us are familiar with cranberries, as they frequently make an appearance on the dinner table during Thanksgiving. That said, there is another, equally delicious, crimson-hued fruit with a bite, that is often mistaken for the cranberries — lingonberries. These jewel-like berries share a lot in common with cranberries, such as growing on evergreen plants found in the crisp regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

That said, for all of their similarities, they are quite distinct from one another. From their size and where they can typically be found to their taste and how they are incorporated into recipes, cranberries and lingonberries each have their own unique characteristics that make them valuable in different ways. They also feature prominently in the cultural traditions of different countries, like the United States and Sweden.

As a chef, I am always searching for ways to incorporate nuance into my recipes. Exploring the traits of similar ingredients integral to different cuisines, and learning to exploit these in various dishes, is a guaranteed way to create complexity in my cooking. When it comes to adding a pop of color and a burst of sweet-yet-sour flavor to a dish, cranberries and lingonberries are the way to go.

Here's some of the differences and similarities between these fruits. What are cranberries? Cranberries are a clever ingredient that features in many recipes beyond the jellied sauce we all grew up with at the Thanksgiv.