The cranberry is both sour and bitter. It has less than 4 percent sugar. ... The compounds in cranberries that make them taste so brutal are an antioxidant family know as tannins. From an evolutionary perspective, fruits are sweet in order to attract animals that proceed to eat them and distribute seeds.

Are cranberries supposed to be sour?

4 Answers. Most people would characterize cranberries as sour, not bitter. If yours truly taste bitter, something is probably wrong and they should be discarded. While it is safe to eat normal cranberries raw or cooked, usually they are made into sweetened dishes because they are so sour.

Is cranberry juice bitter or sour?

Cranberry juice is intensely sour and bitter if there's no sugar in it, but most of the time, it's sweetened and deliciously brisk. Add it to smoothies, cook with it, give sauces a fruity twist or turn it into fun mocktails. Anything bubbly like kombucha or sparkling water will make it special.