CHERRIES
Cherry is a stone fruit, which means simply that it has a hard seed inside it (this family of fruits also includes apricots, peaches, plums, and other likewise fruits). The name of cherry fruit family is Rosaceae, and there are two different types of cherry trees - one that has their fruits fairly round, and other which fruits have a clear groove on one side. Cherries grow well in the temperate climate and are at the peak of the season during the hot summer months. There are both sweet and sour types of cherry fruits, although the latter one has been disappearing ever since it has been attacked by infectious diseases. This is also one aspect that make the cherries relatively expensive food - they need to be taken care of with insecticides, they need constant supply of water, naturally the trees take time to grow, they are very sensitive to extreme weather conditions, and of course - they need to be picked growing high above the ground. However, when harvested at their peak they are hard to resist and make a welcomed ingredient in the desserts. Cherries are also the main ingredient of Kirsch and Griottines.
Cherries came to Europe from Asia Minor already before the first century. They were particularly enjoyed by ancient Romans, and gave gradual popularity among the rest of the Europeans. Nowadays, cherries are cultivated along the Mediterranean line and further up north to about 52 latitude where the cold starts to be too unbearable for the trees. In USA, states of California and Washington are the main producers of the sweet cherries, although even other producers are present in the continent, not to forget Traverse City of Michigan that arranges the annual cherry festival.
Being very seasonal fruits, they need to be enjoyed when they are at their peak. The exact time varies among the different geographical regions in the world, although the summer months are usually the ones to look forward to. In Australia that means of course around Christmas, while in Europe and America it's June-August.
Cherries are perfect on their own, but can also be combined with other summer fruits and with almonds or chocolate. You can enhance their flavor further with some Kirsch or Grand Marnier. Some creamy sweet sauces are also good to accompany this fantastic fruit.
From the nutritional point of view, cherries are a good source of antioxidants and thus prevent the formation of cancer and atherosclerosis, as well as other inflammatory and cell-damaging conditions. Cherries also contain much melatonin which is also a powerful antioxidant, but also is produced in cycling amounts during the day-night cycle by our brains. Melatonin is what makes us sleepy when we are in the appropriate time of the day and exposed by darkness. Interestingly, it is known that people who work at night, thus having lower melatonin levels, have a higher incidence of cancer. Absence of sufficient supply of this hormone may be the cause of this. Melatonin is also improving memory, which may be why sufficient sleep promotes the ability to remember things.
When you buy cherries, choose the fruits that are fairly firm (that is, not hard and not too soft), not slimy, and don't have too many fruit flies around them. A nicely shining and firm cherries is what you want. Preparing them is very simple, just cut them around the seed, twist the two halves against each other, lift one of them, and remove the seed. If you are not that concerned with esthetics, just get in the fruit with your thumb to remove the seed.