Love it or hate it, you will see cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving table! But do you know why it’s there? Buzz60’s Lenneia Batiste has more.
(CNN) — Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries of Thanksgiving is the cranberry sauce, and we’re not talking about why people eat it: Why are the labels on Ocean Spray cans upside down?
Observant consumers have noticed that the labels on jellied cranberry sauce cans are flipped, meaning the rounded edge that’s typically on the bottom of most canned goods is on top of Ocean Spray cranberry sauce cans.
According to Ocean Spray, that’s intentional: It creates a seamless serving experience.
The cans are “filled and labeled upside down with the rounded edge on top and the sharp can-like edge on the bottom to keep the jelly whole,” an Ocean Spray spokesperson told CNN Business. That creates an air bubble on the rounded side (aka the top) so customers can “can swipe the edge of the can with a knife to break the vacuum and the log will easily slide out.”
This process has been in use since the early 2000s.
Adweek, which recently reported this important can caveat, noted that about 67 million cans are sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
But like other Thanksgiving meal staples, canned cranberry sauce might be hard to come by. The sauce has 79% availability across national retailers, which is down from 89% in that same period, according to IRI, a market research firm that tracks US retail sales.
Ocean Spray, a farmer cooperative that makes cranberry sauce and sells bagged cranberries, said that “consumers may experience some availability issues at times on a variety of cranberry products,” because of supply chain issues. The co-op noted that it doesn’t expect “significant impacts” on the availability of its products.
— CNN Business’ Danielle Wiener-Bronner contributed to this report.
3 classic Thanksgiving comfort food recipes from TikTok
1. Corn Casserole
This super simple corn casserole recipe from @cheftimclowers is creamy, fluffy, and delicious. It’s a classic holiday recipe that’s sure to inspire some nostalgia around the Thanksgiving table. It’s large enough to serve a big group, but there probably won’t be any leftovers.
2. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
There are plenty of baked mac and cheese recipes out there, but this one definitely deserves a spot on your Thanksgiving table. This super rich, cheesy, decadent baked mac from @spicednice will be a new holiday favorite.
3. Mashed Potatoes
This favorite Thanksgiving side gets a new spin from @kaicooking. Instead of boiling the mashed potatoes, she bakes them giving them a little added flavor and texture.