Frozen cranberries

[elora]

A question for North Americans, I guess:

I know you can freeze cranberries - has anyone done so? I want to know if they retain their firmness once thawed or do they get mushy?

(Alli loves fresh cranberries but you can only get them for a short time. I was going to buy an extra bag and freeze them but if they get mushy when thawed, then I don't think she'll eat them.)

PS - I know this is not really a cooking post but it is food related!)

[snkysally]

They stay pretty well when thawed, but I mostly use them for baking.

[sophie]

I use them frozen for baking and they stay firm in the dough..test it out if you can get some cheap ones now..

[viv]

Would Alli eat them frozen? Frozen grapes are nice too.

[sprite]

they also live a long time in the fridge, so you could try freezing a small bunch for a week and see how they turn out.

[elora]

I am going to take the suggestion of doing a mini trial of freezing and thawing. If she won't eat them, I can always use them in cooking or baking.

i don't know if she'd eat them frozen - i might try some grapes in the summer and see.

[itch4travel]

I find they keep their shape but they are definitely soft after being frozen.

[elora]

Thought I'd mention that I'm taking advantage of the subzero temperatures and have dumped a package of cranberries on a tray. They are outside to freeze - much easier than trying to balance a tray of berries in my freezer! If they turn mushy when i thaw them, I'll use them to cook or bake with.

[Queen]

Any plant material will be mushy after freezing - or mushier - than when fresh.

Plant cells contain water which expands on freezing, breaking the cell walls.

Should still be fine for baking though.

[elora]

- the science explanation from Madame Q-rie makes me smile.

I knew they wouldn't as firm but wasn't sure how soft they'd become - and if my fincky bird would eat the soft ones. We are going to find out though - they were on sale so I figured I didn't have much to lose.