National Cherry Day is celebrated on July 16, making it a great summertime event. Cherries come in various flavors, from sweet to tart, and in colors from red to yellow, offering endless options for dishes, desserts, and drinks. We can’t blame George Washington for supposedly chopping down that cherry tree! Today, the U.S. cherry industry produces over 650 million pounds of tart and sweet cherries each year.
Know The History of National Cherry Day
Cherries have been a popular fruit for centuries, from the Roman Empire to the Chinese dynasties. These little red fruits made their way to America by early settlers in the 1600s by ship.
Modern cherry production in the U.S. started in 1852 when Peter Dougherty began planting cherry trees on the Old Mission Peninsula in Michigan. The Mildwest’s climate turned out to be perfect for growing cherries, leading to large-scale harvesting.
By 1893, the first commercial tart cherry orchards were established in Michigan, and production soon exceeded that of other major crops.
The first cherry processing facility, Traverse City Canning Company, was built, and the ruby-red fruit began to be shipped to neighboring cities. Outreach to the entire country followed shortly after.
The maraschino cherry, made from sweet cherries, helped popularize cherries in the U.S. This famous dessert cherry was invented by merchants on the Balkan Peninsula and in northern Italy.
They created it by adding liqueur to a local cherry called the Marasca. The resulting cherry product was imported into the United States in the 1890s.
In the 1860s, U.S. cherry processors started experimenting with a local sweet cherry for making maraschino cherries. They used less liqueur in the process and added almond oil instead.
Eventually, they removed the liqueur entirely. By 1920, this American version of the maraschino cherry had become so popular that it replaced the original nonnative variety in the United States.
Also read, Thirsty Thursday – July 4, 2024
| 300 B.C. (Cherries are Recorded) | Greek author, Theophrastus, discusses cherries in the book “History of Plants.” |
| 1300s (King Charles V Plants Cherry Trees) | King Charles V of France planted over one thousand cherry trees in his gardens at St. Paul and Tournelle. |
| 1600s (Cherries Arrive in the U.S.) | Cherries are brought to America with the first settlers. |
| 1896 (Americans Create Maraschinos) | Americans produce their first Maraschino cherries using liqueur. |
4 Interesting Facts About Cherries You Should Know
- About 94% of the cherries consumed in the U.S. are grown in Michigan.
- There are over 1000 different cherry varieties, both sweet and tart, but only about 20% of them are used for commercial purposes.
- The average cherry tree produces about 7000 cherries.
- There are two main types of Cherries. They are either sweet or tart.
Frequently Asked Question
What Is the Purpose of the Cherry Festival?
For three days each June, the town of Sefrou celebrated the natural and cultural beauty of the region with the Cherry Festival. The event highlights the cherry fruit and features the selection of the Cherry Queen through a pageant that attracts competitors from both the local area and across the country.
What Is Special About Cherries?
Cherries are packed with beneficial nutrients like Vitamin C and antioxidants. They may also help lower inflammation, protect heart health, and improve sleep when included in a healthy diet.
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Cherry Trees?
Cherry trees offer several environmental benefits. They produce abundant blossoms and fruits without harming the environment. When cherries fall to the ground, they decompose and provide nutrients that support microorganisms, insects, plants, animals, and soil health.
How Long Do Cherry Blossoms Last?
Cherry blossoms usually last for four to seven days after peak bloom begins, but under ideal conditions, they can last up to two weeks.
What Are the Benefits of Cherries?
Cherries are rich in polyphenol antioxidants, which help protect your heart from cell damage and reduce inflammation.
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