Cherry

Cherry Stella444.jpg

The cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus. It is a fleshy stone fruit. The cherry fruits of commerce are usually obtained from a limited number of species, including especially cultivars of the wild cherry, Prunus avium.

The name 'cherry', often as the compound term 'cherry tree', may also be applied to many other members of the genus Prunus, or to all members of the genus as a collective term. The fruits of many of these are not cherries, and have other common names, including plum, apricot, peach, and others. The name 'cherry' is also frequently used in reference to cherry blossom.

Contents

Botany

True cherry fruits are borne by members of the sub-genus Cerasus which is distinguished by having the flowers in small corymbs of several together (not singly, nor in racemes), and by having a smooth fruit with only a weak groove or none along one side. The subgenus is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with two species in America, three in Europe, and the remainder in Asia.

The majority of eating cherries are derived from either Prunus avium, the wild cherry (sometimes called the sweet cherry), or from Prunus cerasus, the sour cherry.

Species

This list contains many Prunus species that bear the common name cherry. For a complete list of these, see Prunus. Some common names listed here have historically been used for more than one species, e.g. "Rock cherry" is used as an alternative common name for both P. prostrata and P. mahaleb.

History

Etymology and antiquity

The native range of the wild cherry extends through most of Europe, and the fruit has been consumed through its range since prehistoric times. A cultivated cherry is recorded as having been brought to Rome by Lucius Licinius Lucullus from northeastern Anatolia, also known as the Pontus region, in 72 BC.[1]

A form of cherry was introduced into England at Teynham, near Sittingbourne in Kent by order of Henry VIII, who had tasted them in Flanders.[2][3][4]

The English word cherry, French cerise, Spanish cereza all come from the Classical Greek (κέρασος) through the Latin cerasum, thus the ancient Roman place name Cerasus, from which the cherry was first exported to Europe.[5]

Nutritional value

Cherries (sweet, edible parts)
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 263 kJ (63 kcal)
Carbohydrates 16 g
Sugars 13 g
Dietary fibre 2 g
Fat 0.2 g
Protein 1.1 g
Vitamin C 7 mg (12%)
Iron 0.4 mg (3%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient database

Cherries contain anthocyanins, the red pigment in berries. Cherry anthocyanins have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in rats.[6] Anthocyanins are also potent antioxidants under active research for a variety of potential health benefits. According to a study funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute presented at the Experimental Biology 2008 meeting in San Diego, rats that received whole tart cherry powder mixed into a high-fat diet did not gain as much weight or build up as much body fat, and their blood showed much lower levels of inflammation indicators that have been linked to heart disease and diabetes. In addition, they had significantly lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides than the other rats.[7]

Wildlife value

Cherry trees also provide food for the caterpillars of several Lepidoptera. See List of Lepidoptera which feed on Prunus.

Cultivation

The cultivated forms are of the species wild cherry (P. avium) to which most cherry cultivars belong, and the sour cherry (P. cerasus), which is used mainly for cooking. Both species originate in Europe and western Asia; they do not cross-pollinate. Some other species, although having edible fruit, are not grown extensively for consumption, except in northern regions where the two main species will not grow. Irrigation, spraying, labor and their propensity to damage from rain and hail make cherries relatively expensive. Nonetheless, there is high demand for the fruit.

Growing season

Cherries have a very short growing season and can grow in most temperate latitudes. The peak season for cherries is in the summer. In Australia they are usually at their peak around Christmas time, in southern Europe in June, in North America in June, in south British Columbia (Canada) in July-mid August and in the UK in mid July. In many parts of North America they are among the first tree fruits to ripen.

Ornamental trees

See cherry blossom and Prunus.

Commercial production

Worldwide cherry yield

Annual world production (as of 2007) of cultivated cherry fruit is about two million tonnes. Around 40% of world production originates in Europe and around 13% in the United States.

Top Cherry Producing Nations - 2007
(in thousand metric tons)
 Turkey 398.1
 United States 310.7
 Iran 225.0
 Italy 145.1
 Russia 100.0
 Syria 75.0
 Spain 72.6
 Ukraine 68.2
 Romania 65.2
 Greece 62.8
World Total 2,083.1
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations[8]

Europe

Major commercial cherry orchards in Europe extend from the Iberian peninsula east to Anatolia, and to a smaller extent may also be grown in the Baltic States and southern Scandinavia.

North America

In the United States, most sweet cherries are grown in Washington, California, Oregon, and Northern Michigan.[9] Important sweet cherry cultivars include "Bing", "Brooks", "Tulare", "King" and "Rainier". In addition, the Lambert variety is grown on the eastern side of Flathead Lake in northwestern Montana[10]. Both Oregon and Michigan provide light-colored "Royal Ann" ('Napoleon'; alternately "Queen Anne") cherries for the maraschino cherry process. Most sour (also called tart) cherries are grown in Michigan, followed by Utah, New York, and Washington[9]. Additionally, native and non-native cherries grow well in Canada (Ontario and British Columbia). Sour cherries include Nanking and Evans Cherry. Traverse City, Michigan claims to be the "Cherry Capital of the World", hosting a National Cherry Festival and making the world's largest cherry pie. The specific region of Northern Michigan that is known the world over for tart cherry production is referred to as the "Traverse Bay" region. Traverse Bay Farms is one Northern Michigan co-op supported organization in this region that helps to market Michigan-grown cherry products across the globe.

Australia

In Australia, the New South Wales town of Young is famous as the "Cherry Capital of Australia" and hosts the internationally famous National Cherry Festival. Popular varieties include the "Montmorency", "Morello", "North Star", "Early Richmond", "Titans", and "Lamberts". Cherries come in a variety of different colors, like red as well as yellow.

Gallery

Black cherry of Gilgit
Cherry by Gulmammad 1.jpg
Cherry by Gulmammad 6.jpg

Stella, Prunus avium

The biggest cherries in the world: la Dulce

Cherry trees in autumn

See also

Notes

  1. ↑  "Pontus". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913. 
  2. ↑ The curious antiquary John Aubrey (1626–1697) noted in his memoranda: "Cherries were first brought into Kent tempore H. viii, who being in Flanders, and likeing (sic) the Cherries, ordered his Gardener, brought them hence, and propagated them in England." Oliver Lawson Dick, ed. (1949). Aubrey's Brief Lives. Edited from the Original Manuscripts. p. xxxv. 
  3. ↑ "All the cherry gardens and orchards of Kent are said to have been stocked with the Flemish cherry from a plantation of 105 acres in Teynham, made with foreign cherries, pippins, and golden rennets, done by the fruiterer of Henry VIII." (Kent On-line: Teynham Parish)
  4. ↑ The civic coat of arms of Sittingbourne with the crest of a "cherry tree fructed proper" were only granted in 1949, however.
  5. ↑ A History of the Vegetable Kingdom, Page 334.
  6. ↑ Tall JM, Seeram NP, Zhao C, Nair MG, Meyer RA, Raja SN, JM (Aug 2004). "Tart cherry anthocyanins suppress inflammation-induced pain behavior in rat". Behav. Brain Res. 153 (1): 181�"8. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2003.11.011. ISSN 0166-4328. PMID 15219719. 
  7. ↑ "Tart Cherries May Reduce Heart/Diabetes Risk Factors". Newswise, Retrieved on July 7, 2008.
  8. ↑ "FAOSTAT: ProdSTAT: Crops". Food and Agriculture Organization. 2007. http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567. Retrieved 07-02-2009. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cherry Production National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA, Retrieved on August 19, 2008.
  10. ↑ [1] Sweet Cherries Of Flathead Lake, Retrieved on August 28, 2009

External links

Cherry cultivars
Sweet (Bigaroon, Mazzard)

Angela • Bing • Chelan • Chinook • Emperor Francis • Hudson • Lambert • Lapins • Rainier • Regina • Royal Ann (Napoleon) • Sam • Schmidt • Skeena • Stella • Sweetheart • Tieton • Ulster • Van
Bing Cherries
Sour (Amarelle, Morello)

Balaton • Evans Cherry • Griotte de Kleparow • Montmorency
Other edible
Nanking
Ornamental
Prunus sargentii