The benefits of cherries

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In June, the cherry is the undisputed queen of the orchard. This small fruit has a surprisingly sweet flavor, and also a popular proverb plays on its incredible goodness: Cherries are moreish. Anyway do not worry if you eat a few more. Cherries, in addition to being juicy and delicious, are also rich in beneficial properties for our body. Let’s get to know them better.

Varieties of Cherries

In Italy alone, 18 varieties of cherries are grown, such as: Ciliegia di Vignola IGP, Ciliegia Ferrovia, Mora di Cazzano and Durone Nero di Anella, just to mention a few. Among the major Italian producers we find the regions of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Campania and Apulia.

Cherry, Sour Cherry or Durone: what’s the difference?

We need to specify about cherries that the fruit can come from two different trees: the cherries we are used to and which we consume naturally as fresh fruit  are produced from the sweet cherry also called Prunus Avium. These are divided into two macro-categories which are called in Italian “tenerine”, with a tender pulp and generally dark red color, and “duracine” (or duroni) bigger and with a nice firm pulp.

Cherries such as sour cherries and marasca cherries, on the other hand, are defined as “sour” because they are produced from the sour cherry Prunus Cerasus; unlike the first ones, these types of cherries are used in the preparation of jams, candied fruit, syrups and spirits.

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Cherry season

Native to Asia Minor, cherries are now grown all over the world and 75% of the total harvest is produced in Europe. Their ripening and consequent harvesting period runs from the end of May to the end of July, depending on the variety.

In most cases, the cherries are harvested in June, although there are varieties that ripen later, such as the S. Giacomo Cherry, which reaches its perfection towards the end of July.

How to choose and store cherries

Cherries must be bought when they are perfectly ripe: the fruits must be intact and without bruises, their consistency must be firm and the stalk must have a bright green color. Unlike other fruits, in fact, cherries don’t ripen after harvesting and it is therefore essential to choose them well. Then, they can be stored in a cool place, inside a paper bag, while plastic is not recommended.

Properties and benefits of cherries

Small in size but with great beneficial properties, cherries are rich in nutrients that are good for our body. They contain vitamins A and C, proteins and mineral salts, they also have a low calorie content and quickly give the feeling of satiety, which is why they are introduced as a snack in low-calorie diets.

That’s more: cherries have antioxidant power, purifying and diuretic properties. Another feature that makes them special is the presence of melatonin, a substance that regulates the sleep-wake cycle in our body: it therefore seems that eating some cherries before going to bed promotes sleep and its quality.

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Cherries: how to use them for cooking

You can prepare many recipes with cherries, both sweet and savory, and the opportunities to enjoy them during the day are much more than we can imagine. With cherries you can prepare tasty jams so you can enjoy this fruit all year round or you can stuff croissants or tarts for a rich and satisfying breakfast. Cherries can also be the perfect garnish for a summer semifreddo or a creamy cheesecake. Finally, because of their incredible versatility, a cherry sauce can be perfectly combined with aged and savory cheeses as well as red meat dishes, roasts and game.