Cherries (500 g)

The end of spring brings us this delicious fruit that brings freshness and colour to any dish and is excellent both alone and for all types of preparations but also a delicious, beautiful and decorative fruit.

Cherry is also known as icing. It is a fruit ovoid or circular in shape with an average size of 2 centimeters in diameter, although this varies by class and variety. There are dark red in colour and light red although there are varieties with yellow and green tones.

This fruit from its origin spread through Europe and Asia by migrations of birds and human. Today it is one of the sweet fruits more appreciated by the consumer.

History and origin of the cherry

The cherry is a fruit known since ancient times. The first species to appear was the sour cherry and originated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

Archaeological remains demonstrate that already in 6000 BC cherries were beat to obtain the fermented liquid to make alcohol.

There are records that cherries were appreciated in regions of China and in the 600 BC It was considered a worthy fruit of royalty and much appreciated by the locals. It was believed that cherry wood kept the evil spirits away and that's why cherry branches were put on their doors on New Year's Day. Also they carved cherry wood statues to guard them in front of their doors.

In Japan, where the cherry blossoms are the national flower, cherry represents beauty, courtesy and modesty.

In 371 BC Theophrastus mentions farming techniques and treatment characteristics of the tree.

In the 67th BC after the conquest of the Greek colony of Cerasus by the Roman general Lucullus he brought back to Rome cherries he discovered and liked there. From here it spread throughout Europe.

In the seventeenth century English settlers introduced the cherry in North America.

Nowadays there are more than 1,000 varieties in the USA only of which less than 10 are commercially produced.

Properties and benefits of cherries

• They are excellent for mental health by helping to maintain optimal brain health and preventing memory loss.
• Full of anthocyanins (antioxidants) that help in reducing heart disease and serious illnesses such as cancer. Melatonin helps regulate heart rate and sleep cycles.
• They are also rich in vitamins C, E, potassium, fibre, folic acid, magnesium and iron.
• Cherries are extraordinary source of vitamin A (beta-carotene) containing more than blueberries and strawberries.
• Eating this fruit reduces the risk of diabetes.
• They are an excellent source of fibre and highly recommended in diets for weight maintenance given their minimum calorie intake.