Fruit
Early Black
A tier
Early Black is a historic Massachusetts-region cranberry—small to medium berries that darken to deep red-black, early ripening, and foundational to older bog cultivar mixes. Flavour is intense and acidic; skins are tough enough for handling. It preserves genetic and cultural history of Cape-area cranberry farming. Still found in some traditional beds and hobby plantings. Processing and sauce use dominate; tiny berries are less about jumbo fresh appeal. Maintain separate identity in mixed renovations if heritage matters. Cooks notice darker sauce colour.
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Traits
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Early Black was identified as a distinct early dark cranberry in Massachusetts.
It was widely planted in classic New England bogs.
Higher-yielding cultivars displaced pure Early Black acreage.
Heritage growers conserved Early Black for history and flavour.