From Washington DC, nutritional value to expressions using the term: “cherry” and “cherries” , chew on these interesting facts on cherries.

THE CHERRY TREE

• In 1906 Dr. David Fairchild, plant explorer and and official of the U.S. Department of Agriculture imported 75 flower cherry tree and and 25 sing flowered  from a nursery in Japan. After a recommendation and influence of  First  Lady Helen Taft, Dr. Fairchild had cherry trees planted along avenues in Washington D.C..

• The legend that the first US president, George Washington cut down his father’s cherry tree fails to mention that the incident happened when he was 6-years old.

• Cherries grow on hardy deciduous trees that do not require lots of water.

CHERRY VARIETIES

• Numerous sweet cherry varieties grow in the Pacific Northwest. These are the Bing, Cashmere ™, Chelan, Lapins, Rainier Skeena, Sweetheart Tieton™. Other cherry varieties grow throughout North America, including: Anderson, Benton, Black York Kristin, Nugent. Glacier, Hudson, Regina Selah and White Gold.
• The Tieton cherry’s season commences one week before the Bing Cherry (from early June through July). These mega-sized cherries taste moderately sweet.
  

  The idiom, “Life is a bowl of cherries,” was the title of a song composed during the Great Depression: by Lew Brown and Ray Henderson.

• As North America’s premier sweet cherry, Bing sets the standard of comparison. A ripe Bing Cherry exudes firm crimson-red flesh. Intensely sweet, the edible fruit’s prime season runs from mid June through early August.
• Tart cherry varieties include Montmorency, Schatten Meteor and North Star.
• Rainier cherry exudes an extraordinary yellow speckled with blushes of red. These finely textures, delicate flavored cherries season begins shortly after Bing, from late June through early August.
• Sweet with reddish-black with thick skin, Skeena™  has been growing in popularity among growers and consumers.  Reaching maturity 16-days following Bing cherries, the Skeena’s season runs from mid July through the beginning of August.

HEALTH ADVANTAGES OF THE EDIBLE FRUIT THE CHERRY

• According to the National Cherry Growers and Industries Foundation,  clinical trials find that cherries contain an antioxidant, called anthocyanins, which has been attributed to lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

• The anti-inflammatory properties found in cherries helps control gout and arthritis.

• Cherries are rich in potassium.

How to pick a ripe cherry: Select cherries with a plump, firm and glossy-like flesh.  Never pick cherries with brown spotted, soft and squishy skin. (Also, for the best quality, keep cherries refrigerated until eating or serving.

OTHER NOTABLE FACTS ON THE CHERRY

• The expression, “Life is a bowl of cherries” traces back to the songs composed during the great depression. “Life Is a Bowl of Cherries” chronicles songs composed during the Great Depression (Written by Lew Brown and Ray Henderson in 1931).

• Bing cherries are also excellent gifts to send because they ship well.

Is a cherry your favorite edible fruit?