Sour cherry facts for kids
The sour cherry (also called tart cherry or dwarf cherry) is a type of cherry tree. Its scientific name is Prunus cerasus. This tree is found naturally in many parts of Europe and southwest Asia.
Sour cherries are related to sweet cherries (Prunus avium). However, their fruit is more acidic, which gives them their sour taste. The fruit is safe to eat.
Sour cherry trees are smaller than sweet cherry trees. They usually grow to be about 4 to 10 meters tall. Their branches are thin and twiggy. The cherries themselves can be dark red or almost black. They grow on shorter stems.
There are two main kinds of sour cherries:
- The Morello cherry has dark red fruit.
- The Amarelle cherry has lighter red fruit.
Quick facts for kids Sour cherry |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 1897 illustration | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Prunus
|
| Species: |
cerasus
|
Contents
Where Sour Cherries Come From
Scientists believe the sour cherry tree (Prunus cerasus) first appeared in the Iranian plateau or Eastern Europe. It is thought to be a natural mix of two other cherry species: Prunus avium (sweet cherry) and Prunus fruticosa. The Prunus fruticosa likely gave the sour cherry its smaller size and sour taste. Over time, these mixed plants became a new, distinct species.
People started growing sour cherries a very long time ago. They were first grown from wild trees near the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. The ancient Greeks knew about them around 300 BC. Sour cherries were also very popular with people in Iran and the Roman Empire. The Romans brought them to Great Britain even before the year 1 AD. Today, sour cherries are still very popular in Iran.
In England, growing sour cherries became popular in the 1500s. This was during the time of Henry VIII. Farmers in Kent, England, especially liked growing them. By 1640, there were more than 24 different types of sour cherries being grown.
Growing Sour Cherry Trees
Before the Second World War, England grew over 50 types of sour cherries. Today, fewer types are grown for sale. Most nurseries mainly offer the 'Morello' variety. This type flowers later in the spring. This means it often avoids late frosts, making it a more reliable crop. Morello cherries are ready to pick in mid to late summer.
Sour cherry trees need similar growing conditions to pear trees. They prefer rich, well-drained, and moist soil. However, they need more nitrogen and water than sweet cherries. They do not like too much water, but they can handle poor drainage better than sweet cherries.
Farmers often grow sour cherries by attaching them to strong rootstocks. These rootstocks help the trees grow big. But new rootstocks like 'Colt' and 'Gisella' are now available. These make smaller trees that are better for gardens.
In spring, it's important to protect the flowers from frost. Trees should also be weeded and given mulch. Any needed pruning should be done in spring. Cherries should not be pruned in winter when they are dormant. Morello cherry trees produce fruit on younger wood. This means they can be pruned more heavily. They are often grown as standard trees, but can also be trained to grow flat against a wall or as low bushes. They can even grow well on cold walls.
Sour cherry trees usually have fewer problems with pests and diseases than sweet cherries. However, birds love to eat the fruit. In summer, you might need to cover the trees with netting to protect the cherries. When picking the fruit, it's best to cut them from the tree. This helps avoid damaging the stems.
Unlike most sweet cherry types, sour cherries can fertilize themselves. This means they do not need another tree to produce fruit. It also means their seeds usually grow into the same type of tree. Also, fewer pollinators like bees are needed. This is because the pollen only needs to move within the same flower. If there are not many pollinators, some growers put beehives in their orchards. This helps improve the amount of fruit they get.
Some types of sour cherry trees, like Montmorency and North Star, grow very well in places like Colorado's Front Range region.
Sour Cherry Uses
Cooking with Sour Cherries
Dried sour cherries are used in many dishes. They can be found in soups, pork dishes, cakes, tarts, and pies. They are also used to make jam or fruit spreads.
Sour cherries are very popular in Turkey. People often drink vişne suyu, which is sour cherry juice. Vişne reçeli (sour cherry jam) is also popular. It is often eaten with a traditional Turkish breakfast or mixed into plain yogurt.
Sour cherries or their syrup are used to make liqueurs and drinks. Examples include the Romanian vișinată and the Portuguese ginjinha. In Iran, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, sour cherries are used to make spoon sweets. This is done by slowly boiling pitted sour cherries with sugar. The syrup from this process is then used to make refreshing drinks. These drinks are made by mixing the syrup with ice-cold water.
A special use for sour cherries is in making kriek lambic. This is a cherry-flavored type of beer from Belgium. It is made using a natural fermentation process. In Germany and Austria, sour cherries are often used in desserts like the Donauwelle.
Images for kids
-
Worldwide sour cherry production
-
A sour cherry Beauty Sheet
See also
In Spanish: Guindo para niños
