Interesting facts about cherries

Here are some interesting facts and tidbits about cherries and cherry trees.

You can find Cherries growing in many places in the United States. Some varieties are easier to grow than others. Sweet Cherries are pretty hard to grow although the state of California has figured out their growing trick and has become their main supplier. On the other hand, the sour cherry is mostly grown in the East. Cherry trees produce beautiful flowers as well as delicious fruit. Some people grow cherry trees for their flowers only. One such example of this is the Oriental cherry and the Nanking cherry tree. You can see an illustration of their majestic beauty in Washington, D.C., around the Potomac Basin on our nation's capital grounds. In 1912, these trees were given to us by Japan. They are so pretty that in April when these cherry trees bloom, the sight will simply take your breath away!!

Now Bing Cherries are the most popular type of cherry. They were cultivated in Oregon around the 19th century by a man named Seth Lewelling. Seth's foreman was named "Bing"...not something like Paul Bing or even Bing Charlie, which would be a cool name, but just plain ole Bing. Sources say that Bing was the one who actually invented this yummy cherry and thus the reason for their name.

Bing cherries range in color from bright red to deep maroon. As they get riper their color gets darker. The darker the cherry the sweeter the taste. Bing cherries do best in the refrigerator and will only last a few days. Although lots of cherries end up in a pie or on someone's toast in the form of jam, Bing cherries are excellent eaten right out a bowl or your hand. Just wash 'em and eat 'em! Yum!

Something else you may not know about cherries are that they can be used to treat Arthritis! The USDA did a study in 2003 and found that cherries actually help reduce toxins from your body and are a wonderful anti-inflammatory food. The study concluded that eating a daily supply of fresh Bing cherries would deliver positive results in treating Arthritis and gout. So not only do cherries simply taste delicious but they are good for you too! You might need to go out and get some fresh Bing cherries today!

Nutritional Facts:
· Fat-free
· Saturated fat-free
· Sodium-free
· Cholesterol-free
· A good source of fiber

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Cherry Pie

With cherries being in season, why not make yourself a sweet and juicy Cherry Pie? You don't need to share it unless you
just want to....we won't tell anyone!


Ingredients

4 cups of pitted fresh sour cherries
1-½ cups sugar
3 tbsp MINUTE Tapioca
¼ tsp almond extract
1 15 oz. package of ready-to-use refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
1 tbsp butter or margarine, cut up

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF
2. Toss cherries with sugar, tapioca and extract
3. Let stand for 15 minutes
4. Prepare pie crusts as directed on package for 2 crust pie, using a 9 inch pie plate
5. Once those crusts are ready, fill one of them with the cherry mixture
6. Dot with your cut up pieces of butter
7. Cover with second pie crust
8. Seal and flute the edge
9. Cut several slits in top crust to allow steam to escape
10. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the juices form bubbles that burst slowly
11. Let pie cool and serve!
Makes 12 servings