Ocean Spray

Ocean Spray cranberry bog at the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

For a third year in a row, Ocean Spray is bringing the cranberry bog to Disney World. Guests can see what a cranberry bog looks like, learn about how cranberries are grown and harvested and how you can use them in various recipes at the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Ocean Spray Craisins will be featured in restaurants and demonstrations during the festival.

hosts at Ocean Spray
Host Sharon, cranberry grower Todd May, host Kristen and cranberry grower Peter Beaton

I had the opportunity to chat with Todd May, a cranberry grower from Vancouver, Canada and Peter Beaton, a cranberry grower from Wareham, Massachusetts. Did you know that right now is harvesting season for cranberry growers? Every fall starting around mid-September and ending around mid-November cranberries are harvested.

You might be surprised to know that both growers have a long, rich family history in harvesting. Todd May and his family have been farming for over 100 years and currently there are four generations of Mays working to harvest cranberries. Peter Beaton is a fourth generation grower and his kids and grandchildren are in the business.

Considering it is harvesting season for both of these growers, it was very generous of them to take the time out of their busy schedule to tell us about the process.

Ocean Spray
Ocean Spray reception center piece
Cranberry cocktail
Ocean Spray cranberry cocktail

At the reception, everything was designed around cranberries. The table center pieces, food and cocktails. The cranberry cocktail was very light and refreshing. They added dried cranberries and a spring of mint as the garnish.

Ocean Spray
Pulled chicken Craisin tamale and mole shrimp quesadilla with cranberry sauce from Mexico

I started the night at Mexico with the pulled chicken Craisin tamale and mole shrimp quesadilla with cranberry sauce. Both items were delicious, but I really enjoyed the shrimp quesadilla.

Ocean Spray
Craisin infused five spice char Kobe beef with sriracha and Craisin vegetable fried rice from Japan

This was my favorite dish! Craisin infused five spice char Kobe beef with sriracha and Craisin vegetable fried rice was featured for Japan. The steak was so tender and flavorful. If you’ve never had Kobe beef, it puts a filet to shame. I do with that on Ocean Spray’s website they had the recipe for the cranberry sriracha sauce. It was paired really well with the steak and didn’t take over the natural flavor.

If you are looking for recipes featuring cranberries, Ocean Spray has a lot of them. Just visit the Ocean Spray Recipes section of their site.

Ocean Spray UK
English mustard dusted Scotch egg with cranberry marmalade and beef and Craisin shepherd’s pie from UK

The United Kingdom featured English mustard dusted Scotch egg with cranberry marmalade, and beef and Craisin shepherd’s pie. The cranberry marmalade paired really well with the Scotch egg.

Ocean Spray Canada
Cranberry & sea salt cured wild salmon with maple sugar crystals and Craisin glazed pork belly with white cheddar maple grits from Canada

For Canada, they featured cranberry and sea salt cured wild salmon with maple sugar crystals and Ocean Spray Craisin glazed pork belly with white cheddar maple grits. The pork belly with grits was amazing! The pork was incredibly tender and full of flavor.

Ocean Spray USA
Chicken salad topped with cranberry sauce from USA
Ocean Spray USA
Seared free range chicken with Craisin moonshine pearls from USA

The Ocean Spray cranberry bog is where they featured U.S.A. and had some food items inside the bog to try. They had cups with seared free range chicken with Craisin moonshine pearls, chicken salad cups and sweet potato fries served with cranberry ketchup. I don’t like ketchup but this was good!

I had the opportunity to hop into the cranberry bog with Ocean Spray waders on. It was an awesome experience and while in the bog I had the opportunity to talk with Peter Beaton about being a grower. Soon I’ll have the video up on our YouTube channel. Make sure to keep an eye out for that!

Ocean Spray
Thanks to Ocean Spray for this wonderful goody bag

As I left the event they presented us with goody bags filled with all kinds of cranberry treats. We received Mickey head shaped cookies topped with Craisins, a bag of Craisins, Craisins trail mix, Chip & Dale granola mix, Ocean Spray USB thumb drive, a 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival pin that features Chip & Dale in the cranberry bog and a very nice Lands End tote. This was such a nice surprise!

The Chip & Dale Snack Company granola mix is available at the Disney Parks. It’s a wonderful snack to pick up and throw in your backpack or bag for when you need just a little something to nibble on.

Make sure to stop by and check out the Ocean Spray cranberry bog now through November 11, 2013. While you are there visit the Discover the Cranberry booth and pick up a pack of Ocean Spray Craisins.

Ocean Spray booth
Ocean Spray booth at the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Ocean Spray Craisins  culinary demonstrations: 

  • Tuesday, October 15 at 3 pm with Tony Marotta of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside (Duck)
  • Wednesday, October 16 at 1 pm with Tony Marotta of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside (Salmon)
  • Sunday, October 20 at 1 pm with TJ Sudiswa of Grand Floridian Cafe (Duck)
  • Tuesday, October 22 at 3 pm with Tony Marotta of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside (Pork)
  • Sunday, November 3 at 3 pm with TJ Sudiswa of Grand Floridian Cafe (Savory)
  • Monday, November 4 at 5 pm with TJ Sudiswa of Grand Floridian Cafe (Mahi Mahi)
  • Tuesday, November 5 at 1 pm with Bill Clark of Grand Floridian Bakery (Pastry)
  • Wednesday, November 6 at 1 pm with Bill Clark of Grand Floridian Bakery (Pastry)
  • Saturday, November 9 at 3 pm with TJ Sudiswa of Grand Floridian Cafe (Turkey)
  • Sunday, November 10 at 5 pm with Michael Gonsalves of Golden Oak Club (Sausage)
  • Monday, November 11 at 5 pm with Michael Gonsalves of Golden Oak Club (Pork)
Don’t forget to pick up the DiningatDisney.com’s Guide to the 2013 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival to help plan your trip around the world! The 150+ page e-book has everything you need to know! It includes full-color photos, special events and demonstrations, expert tips and more.
Have you checked out the cranberry bog? What did you think? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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