Bing cherry facts for kids
The Bing cherry is a popular type of sweet cherry. It first grew in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, specifically in Milwaukie, Oregon. Today, it's the most common sweet cherry grown in the U.S., especially in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
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How the Bing Cherry Started
The Bing cherry was created in 1875. A gardener named Seth Lewelling and his foreman, Ah Bing, developed it in Oregon. They made it by grafting (joining parts of two plants) a new cherry from the Republican cherry type.
Who Was Ah Bing?
Ah Bing was born in China and came to the U.S. around 1855. He worked for about 35 years as a foreman in the Lewelling family's fruit orchards in Milwaukie, Oregon. He was in charge of other workers and took care of the cherry trees.
In 1889, Ah Bing went back to China for a visit. However, a law called the Chinese Exclusion Act made it impossible for him to return to the United States. Some people believe Ah Bing himself developed the cherry. Others say Seth Lewelling created it and named it after Ah Bing to honor his many years of hard work.
Growing Bing Cherries
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Bing cherries are mostly sold fresh to eat. They are large, dark, and firm cherries. This makes them good for shipping long distances. However, if it rains a lot when they are almost ready to pick, the cherries can crack open.
Health Benefits
Bing cherries have many anti-oxidants. These are good for your body. A study by the United States Department of Agriculture suggested that fresh Bing cherries might help people with arthritis and gout. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says these claims still need more proof.
See also
In Spanish: Cereza bing para niños
