The sweet burst of flavours that a delicious cherry can have in your mouth is ironic since it leaves a sour hint to the palate. That piercing red look is just as captivating as the juicy, mouthwatering taste that comes from this tiny, humble cherry. Hanging there on the tree, it tempts many as they pass by to pick and eat, they are irresistible! As they hang there, they beautifully decorate their luscious green background and still manage to stand out and steal the show with their bright, striking colours – some red, some reddish-yellow and some green.
The cherries in Guyana can also be termed as West Indian cherry and are of a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree in the family Malpighiaceae. It is known for being extremely rich in vitamin C, although it also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3, as well as carotenoids and bioflavonoids, which provide important nutritive value and have antioxidant uses.
West Indian cherry from its scientific name Malpighia emarginata is native of Yucatan in Mexico and would eventually spread to Latin America.
Cherry Cultivation In Guyana
Propagation: A limited amount of cherry plants are normally available at the NARI Plant Nurseries. However, growers of large areas are encouraged to propagate their own plants. Seeds should be taken from mature fruits selected from healthy high bearing plants. They are separated from the pulp, washed and dried at room temperature away from direct sunlight. After drying, the seed would remain good for about one month if stored in a cool dry place. Where it is necessary to guarantee the reproduction of selected types, propagation by cuttings in special humidity bins or misting units is usually conducted.
Sowing: Sweet types are selected for the fresh fruit market, while more acid types are required for the processing industry. Sowing of the seeds can be done in prepared seedbeds, boxes or plant bags. The seed should be planted about 1 cm below the surface and covered with a thin layer of soil. During germination and early growth, the seedlings should be shaded and receive adequate but not excessive water.
Planting: Cherry seedlings are ready for planting out in the field when they are about 46 cm (18 in) high. Planting should be conducted during the wet season while there is still moisture in the topsoil. Planting holes are dug to a size to accommodate the plant in the bag but usually around 30 cm (1 ft.) in length, width and depth.
Harvesting: The cherry plant usually comes into fruiting about 2-3 years after transplanting depending on the size of the plants after transplanting. This soft fruit is harvested by handpicking. However, systems of using tractor hauled hydraulic shakers with fruits being collected on tarpaulin or plastic sheeting spread under the trees have been tried elsewhere.
Scientific Classification Of The Cherry
Cherry – Malpighia emarginata [Scientific name]
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Rosids
- Order: Malpighiales
- Family: Malpighiaceae
- Genus: Malpighia
- Species: M. emarginata
Five Health Benefits Of Cherries
- Vitamin C – The cherry possesses the highest content of vitamin C, more than any other plant-derived fruit or berry. One hundred grammes of fresh cherries provide an astounding 1677.6mg of vitamin C. As such, eating two or three cherries a day would be sufficient to fulfil the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
- cancer-preventive Compounds – Cherries contain fibre, vitamin C, carotenoids and anthocyanins, each of which may help play a role in cancer prevention, according to the National Cherry Growers & Industries Foundation.
- Antioxidant Protection – Cherries contain powerful antioxidants like anthocyanins and cyanidin. One study found the antioxidant activity of these substances isolated from tart cherries was superior to that of vitamin E and comparable to commercially available antioxidant products.
- Support Healthy Sleep (Melatonin) – Cherries contain natural melatonin, which is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger that helps “cool down” excess inflammation and associated oxidative stress. It also plays a vital role in sleep and bodily regeneration.
- Reduce Belly Fat – In an animal study, rats fed tart cherry powder along with a high-fat diet gained less weight and built up less body fat than rats not fed tart cherries. They also had lower levels of inflammation and triglycerides, suggested a potential role in heart health.
How Cherry Is Consumed In Guyana
Cherry Juice
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherries
- 2 cups of water
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp ginger chopped
- cup ice
Method:
- Wash the cherries with cold tap water and then place them into the blender.
- Add the chopped ginger, sugar and water to the cherries and blend for two minutes or until smooth
- Strain the drink into a clean container. Add the lime juice, stir, pour into a glass with ice and serve.
Tip:
- If you would like pure cherry juice, simply exclude the lime juice and ginger, blend the cherries with sugar and water, strain and enjoy!
- The recipe above is for a serving of 2 persons.
Cherries In Guyana
These tempting little fruits are eaten in various ways; they can be used to make cakes, pies, cocktails, ice-cream, and the list goes on. However, Guyanese love making sweet cherry juice and drinking it on hot sunny days or even in cool evenings with the family. They are both nutritious and delicious, most people just pick, wash and eat them just as they are or they add some salt and pepper which, when eaten, blows their mind away. The trees are grown bountifully in Guyana, usually in the backyards of many, most people share them with their neighbours or they sell them in front of their yards or in the market. People love this tiny flavoursome fruit, especially for its healthy, nutritious benefits.
Article References:
- http://www.guyanadining.com/health-benefits-of-cherries/
- https://www.ecofog.gf/giec/doc_num.php?explnum_id=989
- https://guyanachronicle.com/the-tremendous-health-benefits-of-certain-fruits/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malpighia_emarginata
- http://soulfooddiary.com/recipe/bajan-cherry-juice/
