Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
Cantaloupe Melon
The cantaloupe is defined by two elements: its roughly netted stone and green colored skin and its aromatic orange-coral colored flesh. When perfectly ripe, the flesh is juicy, unctuous and sweet.
Seasons/Availability
Grown in the Pacific Northwest, Rainier Cherries are available during the summer season. Rainier Cherries from Chile are available during the winter season.
Current Facts
Each cherry is tree-ripened for maximum sugar content and is required to reach a minimum of 17 Brix. Washington State cherries are picked when they reach 22 Brix. To compare, a fresh peach registering 13 Brix is considered to be perfectly sweet.
Description/Taste
The Rainier is an attractive yellow with a characteristic red blush on its tender edible skin. Rainer cherries are larger and more fragile than the Bing cherry. Its firm pulp contains a white heart and offers a sweet, fairly delicate flavor. Brown spots or scuffing on the surface indicates high sugar content.
Nutritional Value
Containing eighteen to twenty-two percent more sugar than the Bing variety, one cup of pitted Rainier cherries has about 90 calories. Cherries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium and iron. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables combined with three low-fat dairy products effectively lowered blood pressure.
Applications
This cherry's natural sweetness requires less sugar when used in recipes. Mascarpone, ricotta cheese and sweet cream love to be in the company of cherries. Enhance flavor with sage, verbena, chives and nuts such as almonds. Add special color to fruit bowls. Perfect for an attractive colorful edible garnish to dress up most anything.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Rainier cherries are not as popular with consumers as Bing cherries possibly because cherry fans expect a true cherry to be red.
Geography/History
It was in 1952 when Harold Fogle, who directed the cherry-breeding program at the Washington State University, was successful in crossing a Bing with a Van cherry, two very sweet-red varieties. A tasty result, Rainier cherries were released for the marketplace in 1960. The mother tree is said to still live on a plot at the Washington State University.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Rainier Cherries. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Grown in the Pacific Northwest, Rainier Cherries are available during the summer season. Rainier Cherries from Chile are available during the winter season.
Current Facts
Each cherry is tree-ripened for maximum sugar content and is required to reach a minimum of 17 Brix. Washington State cherries are picked when they reach 22 Brix. To compare, a fresh peach registering 13 Brix is considered to be perfectly sweet.
Description/Taste
The Rainier is an attractive yellow with a characteristic red blush on its tender edible skin. Rainer cherries are larger and more fragile than the Bing cherry. Its firm pulp contains a white heart and offers a sweet, fairly delicate flavor. Brown spots or scuffing on the surface indicates high sugar content.
Nutritional Value
Containing eighteen to twenty-two percent more sugar than the Bing variety, one cup of pitted Rainier cherries has about 90 calories. Cherries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium and iron. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables combined with three low-fat dairy products effectively lowered blood pressure.
Applications
This cherry's natural sweetness requires less sugar when used in recipes. Mascarpone, ricotta cheese and sweet cream love to be in the company of cherries. Enhance flavor with sage, verbena, chives and nuts such as almonds. Add special color to fruit bowls. Perfect for an attractive colorful edible garnish to dress up most anything.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Rainier cherries are not as popular with consumers as Bing cherries possibly because cherry fans expect a true cherry to be red.
Geography/History
It was in 1952 when Harold Fogle, who directed the cherry-breeding program at the Washington State University, was successful in crossing a Bing with a Van cherry, two very sweet-red varieties. A tasty result, Rainier cherries were released for the marketplace in 1960. The mother tree is said to still live on a plot at the Washington State University.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Rainier Cherries. One
is easiest, three is harder.
