Learn about American Cherry fruit: Characteristics, classification
American cherries are a fruit that everyone is interested in. So what are American cherries? How to choose delicious American cherries? Let’s find out together through the following article.
American cherries are popular with many consumers. Their dark red, eye-catching cherries and delicious sweet and sour flavor make everyone like them.
firstGeneral introduction to cherries
Cherries grow in clusters on long stems
Cherries are also called cherries . It is a woody tree with many branches, is perennial and can reach a height of up to 10m.
Cherries usually grow in clusters on long stems that sway in the wind. When ripe, they are red, yellow or black , with a diameter of about 2.5cm. The fruit usually has a sweet taste, shiny skin, pleasant aroma, juicy flesh, crunchy, sweet and rich taste.
Cherries need about 200 – 1500 hours of dormancy, cherry harvest season is from May to August , grown mainly in temperate regions.
What is American Cherry? How many types of American cherries are there?
American cherries are large, plump fruits that often live in warm, dry climates, so they are grown mainly in the Bakersfield, Stockton, Arvin, Lodi, and Linden regions of the United States. Normally, American cherry trees mature in about 3 – 4 years, even up to 7 years .
American cherry trees are difficult to grow due to harsh requirements
This is a fruit that contains many nutrients that are beneficial to humans. Because this plant is difficult to grow, it is only grown in some areas of the United States, especially because this fruit is susceptible to certain diseases such as leaf rot, rot, etc. fruit,… so the tree is strictly and rigorously monitored, cared for and protected.
There are 3 types of American cherries, classified by color, characteristics and flavor, including:
Red cherry: Sour taste, eye-catching bright red color.
Red cherries have a sweet and sour taste
Black cherry: Has a strong sweet taste, dark red to black color
Black cherry has a sweet taste and a reddish-black color
Yellow cherry: Has a cool sweet taste, slightly lighter color than black cherry, light yellow with reddish color, this type is often difficult to buy and has a higher price than the other two types.
Yellow cherries have a cool taste
External characteristics of American cherries
Cherries grown in the US have a large and firm appearance
Cherries grown in the US have a large and firm appearance , and the outer skin of the fruit is yellow and bright red. When ripe, the fruit turns dark red, now is the time to enjoy this delicious fruit.
Besides the US, China also grows this fruit, but Chinese cherries have a smoother and lighter skin, the fruit is firm and crunchy, and the seeds do not stick to the flesh, so they are delicious to eat.
Some benefits of American cherries
American cherries have many great benefits for our health
Cherry is a very healthy fruit, rich in nutrients. Next, let’s learn about 10 health benefits of cherries!
Fights diabetes and prevents cardiovascular disease
According to the Nam Dinh Department of Health, cherries contain the antioxidant anthocyanin – a natural colorant that provides pigment in fruit with many health benefits. Helps reduce the risk of diabetes.
This antioxidant also has the ability to inhibit key enzymes that cause type 2 diabetes. When you consume cherries, it can help you control glucose absorption, help reduce blood pressure and prevent inflammation in the body. body too.
Research has shown that cherries can help the body reduce cholesterol. A 1% reduction in cholesterol will also reduce the risk of heart disease by 2%!
Helps you sleep well
According to Lao Dong newspaper, if you want to have a better night’s sleep, choose cherries because they contain a significant amount of a hormone called melatonin that helps promote your sleep easily, and avoid insomnia. insomnia . Melatonin helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and better control your body’s internal biological clock.
A study in men and women with insomnia showed that drinking 8 ounces of cherry juice in the morning or 1–2 hours before bed increased sleep time by about one hour and 24 minutes. From there, it helps improve sleep better.
Anti-aging
To have healthy skin, consuming cherries is essential because cherries are rich in antioxidants, which help fight free radicals , which is one of the causes of skin looking dull. In addition, cherries also help remove dark spots on the skin caused by sunlight .
Enhances mood and brain function
The polyphenols in cherries help us strengthen the brain, prevent memory loss and protect against Alzheimer’s disease , are very helpful in processing new information effectively and improve communication between the brain and the rest of the body. back of the body .
Cherries are good for health because they contain serotonin, a hormone known to regulate mood and anxiety, creating a feeling of comfort and ease.
Hypotension
In addition to its antioxidant properties, cherries also contain a healthy amount of potassium, which automatically balances potassium and sodium levels to help maintain your blood pressure levels at normal levels, helping to eliminate excess sodium levels. from the body to avoid high blood pressure in the elderly.
Prevent cancer
Sweet cherries contain vitamin C, anthocyanins and carotenoids that help prevent certain types of cancer in humans. In addition, it is also a good source of cyanidin, which is mainly responsible for its ability to prevent cancer, helping the process of cell differentiation and reducing the risk of healthy cells being converted into cancer cells. .
Facilitates weight loss
Cherries are very suitable for those who are in the process of losing weight. Cherries are mainly composed of water and are very low in calories (less than 100) . The fiber content in this fruit keeps you full longer and the vitamins B2 and Vitamin B6 will facilitate metabolism and convert nutrients into energy. Therefore eating cherries can help you lose weight . Don’t forget to add cherries to your diet!
Treatment of gout
According to Lao Dong newspaper, cherries can effectively help prevent gout, help regulate metabolic processes and effectively control the amount of uric acid in your blood.
According to a survey by the Gout Institute from 2007 to 2012, our country has more than 22,000 people suffering from gout. Ho Chi Minh City alone accounts for 1/3 of the number of patients nationwide. This disease occurs when a waste product called uric acid crystallizes in the joints, leading to pain and swelling. Experts recommend using cherries to avoid this situation.
Increase energy
To have full energy and a relaxed spirit, cherries are one of the fruits that can increase energy the most. Helps a lot in building blood cells that automatically reduce circulation and increase our energy levels.
You can add half a cup of cherry juice to your daily meals if you do not have any medical conditions such as allergies to them!
Supports recovery after exercise
Cherries effectively accelerate muscle recovery after exercise and help many athletes in reducing post-workout pain.
Cherries also contain a lot of vitamin C to help the body have better immunity.
Side effects of cherries
In addition to the health benefits that cherries bring, they also cause some side effects when consumed in excess:
Cherries contain a lot of fiber and vitamin C. Your stomach can be overloaded if you eat more than 500g of cherries at once . Additionally, they also contain potassium , iron , molybdenum, and antioxidant anthocyanins. You should be careful if you eat a lot of cherries, because fiber can lead to indigestion, bloating and diarrhea, which are very harmful to your health.
In addition, cherries contain sorbitol, which may worsen symptoms in people with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or fructose malabsorption.
Consult your doctor before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking any medication.
Revealing how to choose the freshest American cherries
To choose delicious and quality You just need to pay attention to the above 3 factors:
Color: You should choose dark red . Bright red is often preserved with chemicals that are not good for your health. In addition, bright red may be Chinese cherries of low quality compared to American cherries.
Cherry stems: You should choose fruits with green stems, fresh, not dark, cherries with such stems have good quality taste..
Cherry fruit skin: You prioritize fruit with a smooth surface and a diameter of 27mm or more. Gently squeeze to see that it is firm, thick, not smooth, no stains, no folds near the stem.
How to preserve cherries?
Cherries should be stored in the refrigerator
To preserve cherries properly you need:
- Refrigerate cherries in a plastic bag , first removing any bruised or damaged cherries before refrigerating. You should not wash cherries until ready to eat or use them if you want to extend their shelf life.
- Cherries will usually keep for about 4 to 10 days in the refrigerator. (The best temperature is 0-5 degrees Celsius, humidity is 90% – 95%)
- Freeze whole cherries : First, wash the outer skin of the cherry and let it dry, then separate the seeds from the cherry flesh and freeze. Once the cherries are frozen, transfer them to a sealable plastic bag and remove as much air as possible from the bag. They will keep for about 10 to 12 months, but will still be safe.
- To avoid sunlight : you should place them in a dark, cool place, avoid places with a lot of sunlight because it will cause the cherry skin to wrinkle and no longer be delicious.
- You can also preserve cherries by making jam, cherry butter and other cool desserts .
Above is some information about American cherries. Hopefully the information will help you understand more about cherries as well as how to choose and preserve American cherries properly and reasonably.
