| Scientific name: | Prunus avium // cerasus |
| German name: | Kirsche |
| Other names: | Prunus avium, Prunus cerasus |
| Classification: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Subfamily: | Spiraeoideae |
| Tribute: | Stone fruit plants |
| Genus: | Prunus |
| Season: | July - August |
Cherries are generally associated with "being in love", which is probably due to their colour and sweet taste. But also the fact that cherries always appear as "pairs" on the tree might play a role for this image. But not all cherries are sweet in taste. The two most common varieties, the sweet cherry (bird cherry) and the sour cherry, even form a contrast, which may lead one to assume that this is not even the same fruit. The spectrum of cherry varieties between these two extremes is as varied as the occurrence of the cherry itself. It can grow almost anywhere and is very frugal.
Quantity per 100 grams
| Calories | 50 |
| Fat content | 0,3 g |
| Saturated fatty acids | 0,1 g |
| Polyunsaturated fatty acids | 0,1 g |
| Monounsaturated fatty acids | 0,1 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 3 mg |
| Potassium | 173 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Roughage | 1,6 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
Cherries were first mentioned in writing around 300 BC by the Greek philosopher Theophrast. The cherries of that time are said to have originated from wild bird cherries, which were already known to Stone Age people. The first sweet cherries arrived in Europe around 100 AD. The oldest sour cherry stones found to date date date from Roman times and were discovered in pile dwellings on Lake Constance and near Homburg v. d. Höhe.
Cherries are generally not classified as pome fruit but as stone fruit and are divided into countless varieties.
The cherry got its name from the Roman general and gourmet Licinius Lucullus. He brought the first sweet cherry trees from the Turkish port of Kerasos to Rome. The name "Kerasos" became the Latin "cerasus", from it the French "cerise" and afterwards by a continuous shift of the sounds the "cherry".
The unusual mix of minerals and vitamins has ensured that cherries are recognised as a natural medicine. They have a detoxifying, regenerating effect, strengthen the visual performance and protect the teeth against periodontosis and caries.
Sweet cherries can help with stomach acidity, while sour cherries are beneficial for the health of the liver and kidneys. However, since sweet cherries have one of the highest percentages of dextrose in the fruit realm, diabetics should not consume more than 80g per serving.
From the stems of the sour cherries a tea can be brewed which has haemostatic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects.
The well-known cherry grain pillow (800g cherry stones in a fabric bag) can be heated (60-80 degrees) to relieve tension in the neck or to reduce the feeling of fullness when lying on your stomach. The cherry pillow is also useful when cooled, as it has an anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect on sprains and other sports injuries.
The small and delicate flower of the cherry is very important in Japan. After the dreary and grey winter, the flowers with their delicate pale pink colour herald spring throughout the country. The great Hanami celebrations can be traced back to the 12th century. At this time the imperial courtiers met under the cherry trees for their poetry performances. However, they did not want to miss a few moments of admiration for the beautiful cherry blossom, which became more and more famous in Europe under the name "Sakura". This is another reason why thousands of Japanese poems, paintings and writings are inspired by the cherry blossom.
The country is in such euphoria during the cherry blossom festival that even the strict Japanese rules of etiquette for some time recede into the background. So if you are planning a trip to the mountainous islands, the time of the cherry blossom festival from the end of March to the beginning of May is recommended.
Sour cherry trees are considered to be the most undemanding native fruit tree , as they achieve full yields even on lean and nutrient-poor soil in shade.
Sweet cherries are consistently richer in calories and vitamins than sour cherries.
Cherries are usually freshly distorted, but they are also ideal for making alcohol, ice cream, compote, cold peel, jam, cake (the famous Black Forest cherry cake), juice or other desserts. Hot sour cherries are also popular as an addition to vanilla ice cream with cream. If the cherries are refined with sugar, cinnamon, salt, rum, red wine and lemon juice beforehand, the cherry lover can expect a real feast for the palate.
After you have enjoyed the cherries, you should not drink water, as this can lead to very severe abdominal pain.
Freshly harvested cherries can be stored dry and cool for another 3-5 days. The more temperature fluctuations they are exposed to, the faster they spoil. However, they can be stored frozen for up to 10 months and do not even lose much of their aroma.
Cherries are available in countless varieties and species, with sour cherries and sweet cherries (bird cherries) being the best known. The name already shows that the main difference between the two varieties is their taste. Basically, there are two different subspecies of the cherry from the rose family, which in turn can be divided into several hundred different varieties. A very well-known representative of the sweet cherry is, for example, the Amarena cherry. The sour cherry contains more fruit acid and is therefore more suitable for cooking, baking and preserving. Due to its sweet aroma, the sweet cherry is mainly eaten raw;
The term sweet cherry is used to describe the various cultivated forms of wild bird cherry, such as the cartilage cherry with firm, sweet flesh or the heart cherry, which has a soft, juicy and also sweet flesh. In total, there are about 500 different sweet cherry varieties . A sweet cherry tree can grow between 15 and 30 metres high, but in industrial cultivation the trees remain much smaller to facilitate harvesting and cultivation.
Sour cherries grow on trees or bushes which, however, are only up to 10 metres high even in the wild. In total, there are 250 different varieties of sour cherries , with the morel as the best known representative.
In addition to sweet cherries and sour cherries, there are also crossings of both varieties: So-called "bastard cherries" combine characteristics of both trees. These cherries are characterized by a sweet-sour mixed aroma, but are also less in demand on the market. The variety "Queen Hortensee" represents a very special taste experience, but is one of the less lucrative bastard cherries in terms of yield.