and how it has been used in different cultures
A cherry is a juicy, succulent and enticing stone fruit with a vibrant red or yellow hue, numerous seeds and a sweet, slightly tart flavor. Bursting with history and symbolism, cherries have been heralded for centuries in a multitude of cultures.
In Greek mythology, the story of “Pandora’s Box” revolves around a box containing all the evils of the world that are unleashed when it is opened. In some versions of the myth, the box contains a cherry tree, wrapped up in vines, signifying the presence of both good and bad in the world.
In Japan and China, cherries have been revered as symbols of warmth, beauty and life - they were offered to the gods and were a favorite gift of imperial dynasties. Japanese samurai believe that cherries signify strength and courage, and eating cherries is thought to bring luck and symbolize the preciousness of life. In some parts of Japan and China, people celebrate a holiday called “Sakura-matsuri” where they celebrate under a cherry blossom tree.
Cultural admiration for cherries dates back more than 2,000 years and can be found in literature and artwork from various civilizations. According to some accounts, cherry trees have grown wild in Europe since pre-Roman times. Cherries were first introduced to Europeans in the early 1600s and since then have become some of the most popular stone fruits around the world.
Back in Medieval Europe, cherries were also believed to have medicinal properties and were used as a remedy for ailments such as gout, malaria and scurvy. Cherry juice, in fact, was often used to treat these illnesses and even during the American Civil War, Union soldiers were given cherry juice as an anti-scorbutic.
In America, the cherry has come to symbolize youth and innocence. From the world of literature to film and television, the cherry is frequently depicted in stories to represent the fragility and beauty of youth and life’s fleeting moments of joy and innocence.
That being said, the cherry is certainly not just reserved for its symbolic properties. In culinary arts, the cherry’s succulent taste, unique texture, and vibrant colors have been used for centuries to create a wide array of dishes.
In the United States, cherries are most commonly enjoyed baked into pastries, pies, cobblers, and tarts - a combination of sweet and tart that is truly delectable. Sour cherries, especially, tend to freeze, can, or dried and often used to make sauces and jams.
The cherry is also beloved in drinks and beverages. From summertime coolers to wintery hot toddys, a splash of cherry juice or a garnish of a fresh cherry instantly makes any drink a little more special. The tart yet sweet flavor of a cherry can truly make a drink stand out and tantalize taste buds with its sophisticated flavor.
Cherries are also incredibly versatile fruits and can used in a countless number of savory dishes. Chopped cherries can be added to salads, grilled meats and poultry dishes, or made into sauces which are ideal for pork, beef, and fish. Dried cherries can also be used to make an amazing range of sauces for anything from roasted meats to pastas and risottos.
No matter how you choose to enjoy a cherry, one thing is certain - it’s an ancient and timeless fruit, adored by cultures around the world and cherished for its distinct flavor, vibrant colors, and unique culinary and symbolic uses. So next time you’re in the mood for something sweet, take some time to indulge in the history and flavor of the cherry.
Have you ever eaten a cherry and wondered where it came from? From seed to dinner plate, the journey of a cherry is surprisingly involved, and full of science that helps make all that juicy sweetness taste so good. Everything, from the moment a cherry seed germinates to the moment it’s plucked off the stem and popped into your mouth, relies on science and technology.
Before the cherry can make its way from the tree to the dinner plate, a few important scientific steps have to occur, each of which helps to create the delicious and nutritious fruit we all know and love.
The First Step: Germination
Like all plants, cherries begin as tiny, oblong-shaped seeds. Unlike other types of plants, cherries can be grown from seeds alone – no need for cuttings or grafting, like one would need to do to create an apple or an orange tree.
In order for these precious cherry seeds to come to fruition, they must first be planted in nutrient-rich soil and exposed to the right combination of warmth and moisture. This begins the germination process and, with a little bit of luck, after several weeks, a small cherry seedling will start sprouting. This delicate, yet hardy, seedling requires lots of careful tending and attention to appease its every need.
The Right Climate and Soil
Cherry trees (or any fruit trees for that matter) require a certain type of climate in order to grow. Cherry trees thrive in temperate climates, with cool winters and lots of sunshine during summer months. This makes them ideal for many regions in the United States, such as California, Oregon, and Washington. For this reason, these three states are home to the majority of the United States’ commercial cherry production.
The soil in which the cherries grow is just as important as the climate. Cherry trees will only flourish in nutrient-rich, well-drained soils that are slightly alkaline in pH. soil test kits are a handy tool that allow growers to instantly determine the acidity or alkalinity (pH) of their soil so they’re able to ensure that the proper environment is being created for their trees.
Good Pruning Practices
Once the cherry trees have become established, they will require occasional pruning practices to ensure that the fruits develop in an even and uniform manner. Pruning cherries doesn’t necessarily increase the number of cherries that can be harvested, as some growers may hope, but it does make them easier to pick and better looking. The goal of any pruning practice is to create a balanced canopy, with an even distribution of foliage and flower buds throughout the tree’s branches.
Pruning cherries involves removing the excess shoots, stems, and branches from the tree. It’s important to have the right tools on hand before beginning, as these will make the job easier and safer. For smaller trees, a pair of sharp pruners will suffice; for larger trees, a pruning saw may be needed. When pruning, cut away the excess growth, leaving an even canopy shape.
Pollination and Blooming
Once the trees have been pruned, it’s time for the blossoms to start appearing. While cherry trees don’t require a pollinator to produce fruit, some cultivars do benefit from the presence of a pollinator like bees or hummingbirds. Honeybees are the most common pollinators of cherry trees, and beekeepers often plant cherry trees nearby in order to encourage pollination.
When the blossoms start to appear, typically in late spring or early summer depending on the geographic location, the trees will be in full bloom. At this time, the entire tree will be a mass of white or pink-hued petals, each one containing the potential for a single cherry to form.
Pest Control
Once the cherries have started to form, they’ll need protecting from any number of pests. In order to keep these fruits safe, many growers use a combination of natural and synthetic pesticides. Natural methods like companion planting (planting a particular crop alongside another one that deters insect pests) or deploying beneficial insects like lacewings or lady bugs can help keep the cherries safe, while synthetic pesticides can provide a more targeted approach.
Harvest Time
Once the cherries are fully ripened and ready for picking, it’s time for the harvest. Harvesting cherries is a tricky process, as the window of opportunity from when they’re ripe until when they start to rot is quite brief. Most growers will use a combination of touch and color to determine when it’s time to start picking.
Once harvested, cherries must be sorted and graded. This involves discarding any bruised, damaged, or overly ripe cherries, as well as removing stems and other debris. From here, the cherries can be sold fresh, or processed into jam, jelly, pies, and other products.
The Final Step: Eating!
And here we’ve reached the final step of the journey: eating! Cherries are incredibly versatile, and can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or baked into a variety of delicious treats. They’re also incredibly healthy – packed with vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting antioxidants that can help keep us in good health.
From the moment of conception until the time it appears on our dinner plate, the cherry has followed a complex and intricate journey. Now you know all about the science behind a cherry’s life cycle and its delicious journey from soil to stomach. Hopefully this knowledge will help you appreciate this sweet, red fruit even more!
Vitamin A | 0.064 mg | |
Beta-Carotene | 0.77 mg | |
Vitamin E | 0.07 mg | |
Vitamin K | 0.0021 mg | |
Vitamin C | 0.01 grams | |
Vitamin B1 | 0.03 mg | |
Vitamin B2 | 0.04 mg | |
Vitamin B3 | 0.4 mg | |
Vitamin B4 | 0.0061 grams | |
Vitamin B5 | 0.14 mg | |
Vitamin B6 | 0.04 mg | |
Vitamin B9 | 0.008 mg |
Calcium | 0.016 grams |
Daily Value 1.3 g
|
Iron | 0.32 mg |
Daily Value 0.018 g
|
Magnesium | 0.009 grams |
Daily Value 0.4 g
|
Phosphorus | 0.015 grams |
Daily Value 1.25 g
|
Potassium | 0.173 grams |
Daily Value 4.7 g
|
Sodium | 0.003 grams |
Daily Value 2.3 g
|
Zinc | 0.1 mg |
Daily Value 0.011 g
|
Copper | 0.1 mg |
Daily Value 0.9 mg
|
Manganese | 0.11 mg |
Daily Value 0.0023 g
|
Glucose | 4.18 grams |
|
Fructose | 3.51 grams |
|
Sucrose | 0.8 grams |
|
Total Sugars | 8.5 grams |
per 100g
|
Palmitic acid (16:0) | 0.05 grams |
|
Stearic acid (18:0) | 0.02 grams |
|
Total Saturated fatty acids: | 0.07 g | |
Oleic acid (18:1) | 0.08 grams |
|
Total Monounsaturated fatty acids: | 0.08 g | |
Linolenic acid (18:3) | 0.04 grams |
|
Linoleic acid (18:2) | 0.05 grams |
|
Total Polyunsaturated fatty acids: | 0.09 g |