People Are Funny the Bag of Cherries
It's time to fall in love with cherries. We've rounded up the 10 wildest facts about this beloved stone fruit.
Ah, cherries. These cute little red fruits have made their way into my heart. They're perfectly sweet and purely delightful, especially when baked into a fresh cherry pie. I fell in love with cherries all over again after taking a trip to Door County, Wisconsin, one of the biggest cherry-producing regions in the United States. After relaxing among the area's gorgeous cherry blossoms, sipping some cherry wine, and devouring Door County's famous cherry-stuffed French toast, I was inspired to learn more.
Read on to discover the craziest facts about cherries-this stone fruit may surprise you!
1. It's likely George Washington never cut down a cherry tree.
Despite what we learned in poems as kids, there is no factual evidence that our first president chopped down any of these fruit-bearing trees. The myth was created by Parson Mason Weems, who wrote the story in a biography of President Washington to illustrate his integrity and honesty.
2. The average cherry tree has 7,000 cherries.
That's right. A single tree can yield enough cherries to make 28 pies. (Or at least a few of our favorite cherry desserts!)
3. A cherry tree can be harvested in seven seconds.
Thanks to the introduction of mechanical tree shakers, the laborious process of hand-picking cherries now takes a mere seven seconds per tree. Efficiency has its price, though. Because the machine is so intense, it shortens a tree's life by seven years.
4. Japanese cherry blossom trees don't produce fruit.
Despite the name, cherry trees don't always produce cherries. Most varieties are ornamental, not fruit-bearing, trees. So if you go to the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., don't expect to pick any cherries while you're there.
5. There are two main types of cherries: sweet and tart.
Sweet cherries are mostly grown in California, Washington and Oregon, and tart cherries are mostly grown in Michigan and Wisconsin. The most common type of sweet cherry is the Bing, followed by Lambert and gold-toned Rainier. Sweet cherries are usually eaten fresh, as a fun snack. The most common type of tart cherry is the Montmorency. Tart cherries are used in baking because they hold their shape better than their sweeter cousins. The tartness also allows bakers to adjust the sweetness level until it's just right. The next time you get hold of some fresh tart cherries, make this cherry streusel tart.
6. Door County, Wisconsin, is nicknamed Cherryland USA.
Door County was once the No. 1 grower of cherries in the U.S. During the 1950s, it produced 95 percent of the nation's tart cherries, with more than 1 million cherry trees. Today, there are only 2,500 acres of cherry orchards in the county (that's still a lot!). Door County residents pride themselves on their cherries. Go to any restaurant and you'll likely find a cherry special on the menu. (Cinnamon Roll Cherry Cobbler, anyone?)
7. Traverse City, Michigan, is known as the Cherry Capital of the World.
Today, Michigan is the big producer in the cherry-growing business, with more than 30,000 acres of cherry trees. In the Traverse City region alone, a whopping 4 million trees produce 150 to 200 million pounds of tart cherries annually. Traverse City's annual National Cherry Festival started in the 1920s as an informal "blessing of the blossoms" ceremony. Now it's a weeklong festival attended by people from all over the world.
8. The Midwest has ideal weather conditions for growing tart cherries.
It's no coincidence that Michigan and Wisconsin produce so many cherries. The land off Lake Michigan is ideal for cherry trees. Weather conditions prevent early frost, and the light wind helps pollinate the trees. Alkaline soil and shallow limestone deposits are also beneficial.
9. Michigan hosts official cherry pit-spitting contests-and they're pretty awesome.
Think you've got skill in spitting a cherry pit? There's a place you can prove it. Eau Claire, Michigan-known as the Cherry Pit Spitting Capital of the World-hosts the International Cherry Pit-Spitting Championship every year. The world record for cherry stone spitting is a whopping 93 feet 6.5 inches. Talk about impressive! When I tried my hand at pit spitting, mine only reached 17 feet.
10. This ruby red fruit delivers some health benefits, too.
Cherries are jam-packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are good for your health. To sweeten the deal, they're low in calories, too! Pack some in your lunch bag for a guilt-free snack.
Now that you know so much about cherries, it's time to share your knowledge with the world. Delight friends and family with these fun-filled facts over a toasty cherry cobbler or cherry-packed pie. And remember, no ice cream sundae is complete without a cherry on top! For more ways to use this wonderful fruit, check out our 20 recipes made with cherries.
Try Our Favorite Cherry Recipes
Cherry and Chocolate Ice Cream Pie
We took cherry pie to a whole new level as a frozen treat. With a luscious layer of chocolate fudge inside, this is one impressive pie. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Michigan Cherry Japanese-Style Cheesecake
Michigan is known for its amazing cherries, especially the tart ones, so we have plenty of opportunities to find new ways to try and use them. They became my muse for this recipe—a twist on the traditional American cheesecake recipe. I decided to make use of the extraordinary texture and unique taste found in a Japanese-style cheesecake, which is light and melts in your mouth. —Laura Kurella, Wellston, Michigan
Summer Buzz Fruit Salad
For picnics, cookouts and showers, we make a sweet salad of watermelon, cherries, blueberries and microgreens. No matter where I take it, it always delivers on the wow factor. —Kaliska Russell, Talkeetna, Alaska
Black Forest Panettone Pudding
My chocolate-cherry bread pudding uses Panettone, the holiday bread people often receive but aren't sure how to use. I make a glorious sauce for it using ice cream. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Over-the-Top Cherry Jam
We live in Door County, an area known for its wonderful tart cherries. This beautiful, sweet jam makes lovely gifts. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Juicy Cherry Pie
Lucky you! Tart, or sour, cherry season is in the heart of summer. Choose fresh tart cherries that are bright in color, shiny and plump. They should feel relatively firm when pressed lightly. —Karen Berner, New Canaan, Connecticut
Cherry Cheese Blintzes
These elegant blintzes can be served as an attractive dessert or a brunch entree. The bright cherry sauce gives them a delightful flavor. I sometimes substitute other fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries or peaches. —Jessica Vantrease, Anderson, Alaska
Cherry Cola Cake
Cherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina
Cherry Barbecue Sauce
You can use fresh or frozen cherries to make this flavorful barbecue sauce. It tastes phenomenal on ribs and chicken! —Ilene Harrington, Nipomo, California
Michigan Cherry Pie
This tart Michigan cherry pie is delicious with the streusel topping but even better crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan
Cherry Pudding Cake
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this dessert is a hit whenever I make it to share at a potluck. My family insists I make an extra batch to leave at home. A neighbor shared the recipe over 30 years ago. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Cherry-Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I came up with this amazing recipe when I had a load of cherries on hand. My family polished them off fast, and asked for more. Luckily I had enough fruit to make them again the next day! —Melissa Barlow, Fruit Heights, Utah
Chicken with Cherry Wine Sauce
My dad's a chef, so I learned to cook at an early age. This saucy chicken was the first dish I made by myself. —Ben Diaz, Azusa, California
Chocolate-Cherry Ice Cream Cake
O say can you see this amazing dessert at your next gathering? I make it ahead of time and keep it in the freezer, wrapped in foil, for a week or so before serving.—Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Cherry-Almond Streusel Tart
Brimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It's elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario
Cool Summertime Oatmeal
Start this breakfast the night before so you can get a few extra z's in the morning. My husband adds coconut to his, and I stir in dried fruit. —June Thomas, Chesterton, Indiana
Almond Tea Bread
My aunt brought her tea bread recipe with her from Scotland, and enjoying a fresh-baked loaf has become a family tradition during the holidays. Each slice is loaded with red cherries. —Kathleen Showers, Briggsdale, Colorado
Berry Cherry Pie
A neighbor shared this pie with me years ago, and now it has a big fan club. I'm always looking for new treats to bake for my family, but this is one I turn to again and again, especially in summer. —Wanda Van Voorhis, Plain City, Ohio
Almond Cherry Cobbler
This bubbling cherry cobbler is one of my favorite dishes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. —Melissa Wagner, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Black Forest Icebox Cookies
These rich chocolate wafers are the perfect complement to the creamy filling's sweet-tart tones. Chill for up to four hours; any longer and the wafers get too soft to pick up with your hands. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
County Fair Cherry Pie
This cherry pie is so easy! I'm a teacher and a Navy wife, so simplicity and quickness are both mealtime musts at our house. —Claudia Youmans, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Homemade Christmas Jam
A few years ago, I hit upon the idea of presenting family and friends with baskets of homemade jam as gifts. With cherries, cinnamon and cloves, this smells and tastes like Christmas! —Marilyn Reineman, Stockton, California
Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/10-absolutely-delightful-facts-about-cherries/
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