Cherries

History

Edible cherries derive from two species, the wild cherry and sour cherry. The wild cherry or sweet cherry is grown for consumption. The sour cherry is mainly for cooking and jam making. Both species originate in Europe and western Asia, and do not cross-pollinate.

Types:

BING
This popular cherry has red/mahogany-colored skin and flesh. The stone is relatively small, while the fruit itself is crisp, firm and juicy. Consumers enjoy its sweet, rich flavor, which is the reason that it’s the dominant variety.

RAINIER
This cherry is recognizable by its golden/pink blushed skin color. It’s a finely textured variety with firm, clear flesh and colorless juice. The Rainier offers consumers a very sweet, delicate flavor.

LAMBERT
This heart-shaped, dark red cherry is slightly smaller than the Bing. It has a sweet, rich flavor and moderately firm flesh. The Lambert variety is also a favorite among consumers.

VAN
This late-season cherry is appreciated for its refreshingly sweet taste and deep red color. Consumers love to snack on Vans, one after another.

Source: California Cherry Advisory Board

Contents
Fun FactsFace of a FarmerSeasonNutritionStatisticsHelpful Links
Cherries
Cherries
Cherries
Cherries

Face of a Farmer

Murray Family Farms

Vickie and Steve Murray farm in the Central Valley to preserve their farming heritage, educate the publc about agriculture and nutrition and to provide you with fresh, ripe produce, including 17 varieties of cherries! More...



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Fun Facts

  • The word cherry refers to both the tree and the fleshy fruit.
  • Anthocyanins found in cherries also block inflammatory enzymes, reducing pain. 20 cherries are 10 times as potent as aspirin and have positive effects on arthritis pain. (from the California Cherry Advisory Board)



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  • Season, Ripeness and Storage

    Seasonality Chart
    State Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Arizona                        
    California                        
    In-Season  

    Ripeness

    Fresh cherries should be clean, bright, shiny, and plump with no blemishes. Sweet cherries should have firm, but not hard flesh, while sour cherries should be medium-firm. The darker the color, the sweeter the cherry.

    Avoid cherries with cuts, bruises, or stale, dry stems. You’ll find stemmed cherries less expensive, but be aware that cherries with the stems intact will have a longer shelf life.

    Storage

    Store unwashed cherries in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, and wash just before eating.



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    Nutrition

    Cancer

    The terpenes found in cherries may protect against skin cancer.

    Nutrition Facts
    Serving Size: 1/2 cup
    Amount Per Serving  
    Calories: 16
      % Daily Value*
    Total Fat: 0.15g 0%
    Cholesterol: 0mg 0%
    Sodium: 3mg 0.13%
    Total Carbohydrate: 3.77g 1.26%
         Dietary Fiber: 0.05 0% 
         Sugars: 0g  
    Protein: 0.2g  
    Vitamin A 7.52% Vitamin C 1370%
    Calcium 0.6% Iron 0.56%
    *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

    Source: USDA National Nutrient Database


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    Statistics

    County Value
    Fresno 28,942,000
    Kern 19,984,000
    Stanislaus 16,397,000
    Tulare 14,724,000
    Santa Clara 6,718,000
    San Benito 6,096,000
    Contra Costa 1,631,000
    Sacramento 1,590,000
    Los Angeles 399,000
    Riverside 279,100
    Solano 267,000
    El Dorado 34,965
    Total 97,062,065
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    Helpful Links

  • California Cherry Advisory Board
  • A href="http://www.choosecherries.com" target=blank>Cherry Marketing Institute

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