Produce Briefs...
Mangosteen
The Purple mangosteen, botanical name Garcinia magostana, simply referred to as mangosteen, is an ultra-tropical slow growing evergreen tree that is cultivated for its edible fruit.
Spring Onions
Spring onions are most often utilized raw. The whole onion can be flash blanched and grilled, which brings out more the robust and sweet elements of the onions, and makes them a bolder pair for fish and meats
Seasons/Availability
Cherries are available year round with a peak season in late spring.
Current Facts
All cherries are members of the family, Prunus and are descendents of the wild cherry, Prunus avium. They are classified as stone fruits, alongside apricots, plums, peaches and almonds. There are hundreds of cherry cultivars that have evolved naturally and have been developed to improve flavor quality, texture, ability to resist disease and to extend cherry seasons. The most common cherry cultivars are Bing and Brooks, though in the supermarket they are simply labeled 'cherries'. Farmers market varieties include early season cherries such as Sequoia and Sweetheart, cherries named for growing regions such as Tulare and of course, cherries that are named for the cherry developers themselves, such as the Lapin cherry.
Description/Taste
The perfect cherry is rounded with a slight heart shape and dimple at its stem end. The skin is thin and taut with deep red coloring. The flesh's color palate is a range of rouge tones. Its texture has a soft melting quality and its flavor bright, pleasantly tart and sweet. The only deficit is that the fruit's seed is buried in the flesh.
Nutritional Value
Cherries contain anthocyanins, the red pigment inherently found within berries. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants that are being heavily researched for their potential health benefits, including anti-inflammation and pain reduction.
Applications
Cherries are best suited for fresh eating. They pair well with other stone fruit, especially apricots. Other favorable pairings include bacon, burrata cheese, basil, smoked and seared tuna, hazelnut oil, pine nuts, fennel, pistachios, arugula, mild lettuce greens, yogurt, vanilla ice cream and gelato, dark chocolate and berries such as blueberry and blackberry. Cherries can be used for jams or pickling. They can be preserved in maraschino liqueur which is the classic recipe for marachino cherries. Sweeter cherries are best for preserving.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
One of the most famous cherry trees is the Japanese Sakura, which is known for its bountiful spring blossoms. Picnicking under a blooming Sakura or Ume tree is a centuries old practice known as hanami. Hanami gatherings and festivals celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossom as the blossoms are a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life. Though the Sakura trees are highly renowned for their blossoms, they do not produce fruit.
Geography/History
Cherries are native to China. First documentation of cultivation dates back to 4000 B.C. Cherries were brought through ancient trade routes into Turkey, which is known as the crossroads of Asia and Europe as it has historically been the center of major trade routes. Cherries are named after Cerasus, an agriculturally rich province in northern Turkey along the coast of the Black Sea. Cherry trees flourish in Mediterranean climates and temperate climatic zones that experience four seasons.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| French Gourmet | Pacific Beach CA | 858-488-1725 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Monarch School | San Diego CA | 619-685-8242 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Cowboy Star | San Diego CA | 619-450-5880 |
| Table 926 | San Diego CA | 858-539-0926 |
| Quality Social | San Diego CA | 619-501-7675 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| Baking Co. | San Diego CA | 619-819-0911 |
| La Valencia Pastry | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| Marriott Marina Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 x6113 |
| Aztec Shops Catering | San Diego CA | 619-594-7641 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Great News Cooking School | San Diego CA | 888-478-2433 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 619-298-4646 |
| Marriott Marquis & Marina San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 x6113 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 ex 4 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
| The Bristol Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-784-6835 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Cherries. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Cherries using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Santa Monica Farmers Market Near Santa Monica, California, United States About 21 days ago Spotter's comments : Murray Family has both Brooks and Sequoia Cherries. Specialty Produce Near San Diego, California, United States About 22 days ago Spotter's comments : I spotted Cherries at Specialty Produce! Sweet! Hillcrest Farmers Market Near San Diego, California, United States About 24 days ago Spotter's comments : "First of the season" cherries at smit orchards. Ripe and juicy! Specialty Produce Near San Diego, California, United States About 26 days ago City Plaza West Nanjing Road Near Shanghai, Shanghai, China About 34 days ago Spotter's comments : Very large cherries are from Dalian Liaoning Province. Parkson Supermarket Near Shanghai, Shanghai, China About 34 days ago Spotter's comments : Fresh cherries grown in Shanghai region with trees under plastic. Early picking ..... |
