“Refreshing, cheering, encouraging… perhaps the prettiest berry… certainly the most novel and interesting,” renowned American naturalist Henry David Thoreau marveled at the humble cranberry in an 1852 journal entry.

To this day, the tart berry takes particular precedence next to the formidable turkey on the quintessential American Thanksgiving dinner table. But how did it get there? Cranberries don’t claim a spot on your holiday table for no one reason. Peel back their firm flesh and autopsy the berry’s insides, and you’ll discover a fascinating chemical composition that transforms them into jelly superstars, forming a perfect partnership with turkey. Add their potential health benefits to the mix, and it’s no wonder we heap generous portions of this sweet sauce onto our plates every Thanksgiving.