1. "Cherries- Secret Little Rubies of Health"
by R L Young
What child doesn't love a cherry popsicle or cherry lollipop? Because, if it was cherry, it was a
little tart, a lot sweet, and always the cheerful color red. Children love the taste of cherry. But
did you know that cherries are a very grown-up fruit? They pack a whole lot of nutrition into a
tiny little red gem of a fruit.
We've all heard that any food containing antioxidants is filled with cell-strengthening goodness.
Cherries are rich in two types of antioxidants; anthocyanidins, which bolster antioxidant
defenses and; quercetin, which is believed to regulate blood pressure.
Cherries are also an excellent source of potassium, vitamins A and C and an ample amount of
fiber.
Cherries come in two basic types - sweet and sour. The varieties of sweet cherries include
Rainier, Lambert and Bing. They show up in our grocery stores in late June and by late July they
are gone. Sour cherries, as their name implies are too sour to eat alone. Their varieties are
Early Richmond, Morello and Montmorency. They are used in pie fillings, or frozen, dried or
canned for cooking.
When choosing fresh cherries avoid fruit with soft spots or bruises. Choose cherries that are
plump, shiny and firm. Refrigerate cherries soon after purchase to keep them fresh. When
eating - watch out for the hard pits inside. Did you know- there are approximately 7,000
cherries on a cherry tree and it takes 250 cherries to make a pie?
Cherries are full of nutrition, flavor, and are fun to eat. It is no longer a secret that cherries are
the secret little rubies of health.