How are craisins made?

Craisins are not a naturally occurring fruit, but rather a processed form of cranberries. Here's how they're made:

1. Harvest: Cranberries are harvested from bogs, usually by flooding the bog and then using a mechanical harvester to sweep the berries from the vines.

2. Washing and Sorting: The harvested cranberries are washed to remove debris and then sorted to remove any damaged or underripe fruit.

3. Drying: The cranberries are dried to a specific moisture content. This is done using hot air or vacuum drying.

4. Sweetening and Preserving: The dried cranberries are then sweetened and preserved. This usually involves adding sugar, fruit juice concentrate, and sometimes other ingredients like lemon juice. The cranberries are then coated in oil or a mixture of oil and wax to prevent them from sticking together.

5. Packaging: The sweetened and preserved cranberries are then packaged and sold as "craisins" or "dried cranberries."

The process of creating craisins makes them a more convenient and longer-lasting option than fresh cranberries, as they have a longer shelf life and are readily available year-round.