We are all quite familiar with the traditional cherries that grow all around, aren’t we? However, do you know anything about the black cherry? Anybody?
Okay, okay, let’s see what we’ve got. As the name suggests, these little fruits do not have the color that we would expect. Instead, they have dark, almost black-ish kind of skin and this is what makes them the perfect thing for pies, ice creams, fizzy drinks, liquors and others.
So, (besides from the obvious!) here’s 8 things that you need to know about black cherries:
- The black cherry tree is usually a small one that grows no higher than 80 feet. Its unripe fruits are most often orange, but when they mature they get their specific dark red-to-black Actually, lots of animals like woodpeckers, sparrows, wild turkeys, red foxes, squirrels and others eat this cherry’s fruits.
- Luckily, it’s not only birds and mammals that have the privilege to consume black cherries. Because of their delicate but bittery taste, the fruits are often a vital part of desserts that include dark chocolate. The combination is just amazing! However, they are also popular as garnish to many kinds of alcoholic cocktails.
- In case you happen to stumble upon a black cherry tree, don’t rush to try it all out. Especially if you are some kind of an enthusiast who would eat the leaves as well! We’re telling you this because namely the leaves (as well as the rind) are not to be consumed. These contain a chemical that turns into cyanide once it enters the body. You know what’s next, right?!
- Of course, apart from what you learned from the previous point, you should know that black cherries’ fruits are often used as a food supplement. Why is that? Well, many nutritionists claim that black cherries are quite beneficial, after all. Here’s a quick review of 4 conditions this food might help you with:
- Arthritis – There are researches, which prove that black cherries can be very effective in terms of arthritis’ treatment. Their consumption might lead to less pain because of the anthocyanin compounds.
- Insomnia – It turns out that black cherries contain a significant amount of melatonin. It’s a powerful antioxidant that can regulate the normal sleep cycle. So, thanks to its presence in the little black fruits, you may be able to rest much better when you eat them regularly.
- Heart issues – Of course, like many dark fruits and vegetables, black cherries might be heart friendly as well. That’s because they can protect the arterial walls from damaging. What’s more, melatonin is also able to reduce the risk of insults by decreasing the levels of lipids in the blood.
- Stress – As we are all under huge amounts of pressure these days, we would definitely need something to help us out! Good news is black cherries are full of important antioxidants that can reduce oxidative stress levels and neutralize free radicals. Great!
