Fruit fermented in honey is a staple in our house. We use them alongside other preserves and syrups. None of them provide the same satisfaction as these cranberries fermented in honey prepared specifically for the holiday season. The result can be used as a healthy, delicious alternative to traditional cranberry sauces and jellies.  

This ferment is particularly rich due to the very nature of cranberries. Fruit with significant amounts of sugar ferments quickly. Fruit with significant amounts of water risks starting alcoholic fermentation in the honey. (honey ferments in the presence of yeast only when the moisture content goes above 19%) Because cranberries have neither they ferment very slowly resulting in a rich sweet/tart preserve that is better than anything you’ve ever tasted.  

Did I mention it was dead simple?

Stuff

• 8 cups fresh, preferably organic, cranberries
• 3-4 cups raw honey
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks

Process

• Rinse and dry the cranberries
• Fill the 2L jar to the top with cranberries

• Insert the cinnamon sticks into the jar
• Fill with honey to cover the cranberries
• Use a small skewer or other implement to allow the honey to fill all gaps

• Add more honey as necessary to cover
• Over the next 1-2 months flip the jar every few days to ensure the cranberries are covered with honey

Towards the end, as the holidays approach, you may wish to mash some of the cranberries to aid in further fermentation. This will only be needed if the cranberries have not started to break down naturally

Enjoy!