Native to North America, CRANBERRY (Vaccinium macrocarpon) vines are grown on acidic, peaty soil in bogs that are flooded at harvest to collect the floating berries. Cranberries are high in vitamin C, and the juice can prevent recurrent bladder infections by interfering with bacterial adhesion.
The cultivated APPLE (Malus spp.) originated in Kazakhstan, from which it spread widely. The Romans found prehistoric Celts already manufacturing cider. In colonial America, hard cider was the most popular alcoholic beverage, often preferred to water because fermentation kills bacteria. Unfermented “soft cider” is simply unfiltered apple juice.
Nobody is sure where OLIVE (Olea europaea) was first domesticated, but by biblical times it was treasured from Italy to Egypt for Its oil which was used for food, medicine, ointment, lubrication, lamp fuel, and soap. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat, a "good" fat that may reduce the risk of several chronic diseases and contribute to the health benefits of the "Mediterranean diet."
Adapted from Botanical Facts by Wendy Applequist (2005)
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