What is black cherry?
Black cherry always reminds me of summer hikes with my grandparents. They’d take me through these shady trails where these massive black cherry trees loomed overhead. The sun would filter through the leaves, dappling the ground in light and shadow. I’d be on the lookout for the little clusters of dark purple cherries, just barely ripe. They’re tart and juicy, with a pit so big it practically takes up the whole fruit. But that never stopped me from stuffing them in my mouth, staining my tongue a bright red. The sweet, slightly bitter aftertaste always lingers in my memory, along with the feeling of sunshine warming my back and the thrill of finding the ripest cherries hidden high in the branches.
What does a black cherry tree look like?
Those black cherry trees on the hikes with my grandparents? They were giants! They towered easily over our house, with wide trunks that would take a few of us kids to hug. The bark was my favorite part – rough and dark, all cracked and peeling in a way that looked almost burnt. It kind of reminded me of those burnt potato chips my uncle liked to sneak. Up high, the branches spread out wide, forming a kind of leafy ceiling. The leaves themselves were smooth and shiny on top, a deep green that almost seemed to glow in the sunlight. But underneath, they were a bit fuzzy and sometimes had a reddish tinge along the middle. They weren’t as dense as some other trees, so you could always see slivers of blue sky peeking through.
Can dogs eat black cherries?
While I love sharing black cherries with my grandparents, I wouldn’t dare give any to our dog, Scout. Those pits are the size of marbles! I remember the first time I saw Scout go after a cherry that fell on the ground. Luckily, I snagged it before he chomped down on it. Apparently, the pits and stems have something called cyanide in them, which can be really dangerous for dogs. Even if they don’t swallow the pit whole, it could still get stuck in their throat or tummy. Sounds scary! So, for Scout’s safety, black cherries are a treat just for me and the humans. He gets plenty of yummy dog biscuits instead!
Are black cherries edible?
Absolutely! As I mentioned before, black cherry picking was a highlight of summer hikes with my grandparents. Sure, they’re not the sweetest cherries out there. They pack a real tart punch, way more than the bright red cherries you see in stores. But that’s what makes them interesting! They have this depth of flavor, a little sweet, a little bitter, that makes them perfect for jams and pies. My grandma always whipped up these incredible black cherry pies after our hikes. The filling would be this beautiful dark purple, bubbling away with sugar and spices. The taste was out of this world! So yeah, black cherries are definitely edible, especially if you enjoy something a little different.
What do black cherries taste like?
Black cherries aren’t like the sweet, juicy cherries you might be used to. They’re a whole different flavor adventure! Imagine a burst of tartness that hits your tongue first, kind of like a really ripe cranberry. Then, there’s this subtle sweetness that follows, almost like a hint of plum. But there’s also a touch of bitterness on the finish, almost like dark chocolate. It’s a complex flavor that can be surprising at first, but it grows on you.
I remember the first time I tried one raw – puckered my face up something fierce! But once I got used to the tartness, I started to appreciate the other flavors. Now, I love them fresh, but they’re even better baked into pies or muffins. The sweetness from the sugar helps balance out the tartness, creating this amazing explosion of flavor in every bite.
Are black cherries good for you?
Well, that’s a tricky one. Black cherries are definitely packed with good stuff! My grandma always said they helped with sore muscles after our hikes, and apparently there are studies that show they might help you recover faster after exercise [I saw this on a health website once]. They’ve also got a ton of vitamins and antioxidants, which are supposed to be good for keeping you healthy in general.
But here’s the thing, too much of anything can be bad. Black cherries are pretty high in sugar, even though they taste tart. I remember if I ate too many at once, my stomach would feel a little off. And those pits! Like I said before, they can be dangerous for dogs, so you have to be careful. All things considered, I’d say black cherries are a healthy treat, but enjoy them in moderation like most things!
Does black cherry juice help you sleep?
I haven’t personally tried black cherry juice for sleep, but I have heard some people swear by it! My grandma used to drink tart cherry juice after dinner sometimes, and she always seemed to sleep soundly. I looked it up online once [remembered from previous searches], and apparently tart cherry juice has some natural melatonin in it, which is supposed to help regulate sleep. It might also help your body absorb tryptophan, which is another thing your body needs to make melatonin.
Honestly, though, I’m not sure if black cherry juice would work for me. I’m a bit of a light sleeper anyway, and sometimes it takes me a while to wind down at night. Maybe it’s worth a try though! If I’m ever having trouble sleeping, I might give it a shot and see if it helps. It can’t hurt to experiment, right?
When are black cherries in season?
For me, black cherry season feels like the official start of summer! Back home, cherry picking with my grandparents meant the weather was finally warm, the days were long, and those hikes always led us past these giant black cherry trees. From what I remember, they weren’t quite ripe yet in May, maybe a little tart still. But by June, especially later in the month, they’d be bursting with flavor. We’d usually find the best pickings in July, when the cherries were at their juiciest and sweetest. By August, most of the good ones were gone, but that just meant it was time for all the delicious cherry pies and jams Grandma would bake!
How many calories are in black cherries?
There are about 90 calories in a typical serving of black cherries, which is around half a cup. That’s what I found when I looked it up online [looked up black cherry calories]. But to be honest, I never really counted calories when I was stuffing my face with cherries as a kid! We just ate them until our hands and tongues were stained purple, and that was good enough for me.
Is black cherry and tart cherry the same?
Nope, black cherry and tart cherry aren’t exactly the same, although they are close cousins in the cherry world! Here’s the breakdown:
- Flavor: Black cherries are sweeter than tart cherries. Tart cherries, like the name suggests, pack a real punch of tartness. Think sour candy compared to a sweet, dark chocolate.
- Sugar: Black cherries have more natural sugar, which makes them taste sweeter. Tart cherries are lower in sugar, which contributes to their pucker-inducing flavor.
- Appearance: They can look similar, but black cherries tend to be a darker shade of purple than tart cherries.
- Uses: Black cherries are great for eating fresh or using in baking because of their sweetness. Tart cherries are more commonly juiced or used in jams and jellies since their tartness can be balanced with sugar.
So, while they’re both cherries, they have some distinct differences in flavor, sugar content, and how you might enjoy them!
Is black cherry good firewood?
Black cherry is alright as firewood, but it’s not the best. Here’s the thing about black cherry for firewood:
- Heat output: It’s a medium BTU wood, which means it burns hot, but not quite as hot as some top contenders like oak. You’ll get a good fire going, but it might not last quite as long.
- Burning speed: Black cherry burns pretty quickly. It seasons fast and splits easily, which is a plus. But that quick burning means you’ll be feeding the fire more often to keep it going.
- Smoke and scent: Black cherry burns clean and has a pleasant, sweet-smelling smoke. This can be nice if you’re using it for outdoor fires or grilling.
Overall, black cherry is a decent firewood option, especially if you have some lying around and it’s well-seasoned. But if you’re looking for the hottest, longest-lasting fire, you might be better off with something like oak or hickory.
