Fresh cranberries bounce like tiny rubber balls

Fresh, ripe cranberries have a surprising secret: they bounce! This isn't just a quirky trait; it's a sign of quality. Mature cranberries develop internal air pockets, allowing them to rebound when dropped from a few inches. This natural bounciness helps harvesters sort good berries from bad ones, as those that don't bounce are often overripe, underripe, or damaged.