National Cherry Day

Pucker Up! It’s National Cherry Day!

Today is National Cherry Day! This annual celebration of all things cherry is the perfect excuse to indulge in this delicious fruit. But before you do, let’s take a moment to learn a little bit about cherries. What exactly are they, and where do they come from? Let’s find out!

What Are Cherries?

Cherries are a type of fruit that belongs to the Prunus genus of plants. This genus also includes plums, peaches, and apricots. Cherries are typically red or purple, but there are also varieties that are yellow, pink, or even black. The skin of a cherry is smooth, with a small green stem attached. The flesh of the cherry is juicy and sweet, with a large seed in the center.

Cherries grow on trees that can reach up to 30 feet tall. These trees have dark bark and long branches that are covered in small, white flowers in the springtime. After the flowers bloom, they will be replaced by the cherries themselves. typically takes six to eight weeks for cherries to ripen on the tree. Once they are ripe, they will be picked and then transported to grocery stores and farmers markets.

Types of Cherries

There are two main types of cherries: sweet cherries and sour cherries. Sweet cherries are the type that is most often eaten fresh; sour cherries are usually used in cooking because of their tart flavor. Other common varieties of sweet cherries include Bing, Rainier, Chelan, and Lapin cherries. Some common varieties of sour cherries include Montmorency, Morello, and North Star cherries.

Cherry Fun Facts

• Cherries are a member of the rose family!
• The state of Michigan produces more than 75% of all tart cherry crops in the United States.
• The world’s largest cherry pie was made in Michigan in 2010 and weighed 375 pounds.
• A single cherry tree can produce up to 10,000 cherries each season.
• Sweet cherries were once thought to cure insomnia; now we know that they actually contain melatonin, which helps regulate sleep patterns.

Whether you like them fresh or cooked, sweet or sour, there’s no doubt that cherries are delicious! So pucker up and celebrate National Cherry Day with your favorite cherry treat today!