How did a tough, resilient, bitter berry become the backbone of Massachusetts’ agricultural history?

Cranberries have been a staple of Indigenous culture in North America for hundreds of years – and not just as food. Soon, European settlers also found the benefits of the berry, which would eventually become the state fruit of Massachusetts. These days, cranberries hold a special place on our Thanksgiving tables, but also in everyday baked goods, granolas and, of course, as a delicious, tart juice. In honor of our ongoing celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, we’re boiling down the long history of cranberries in the United States.