Is a cherry a berry?
In this brief guide, we’ll address the search query: “Is a cherry a berry?” Also, we’ll explore what drupes are, what berries are, where cherries are grown, what the nutritional content of cherries is, and what are the health benefits of eating cherries.
Is a cherry a berry?
No. Botanically, cherries are drupes. This means that their flowers mature into fruiting bodies that more closely resemble peaches, apricots, nectarines, and other stone fruits.
There are many types of fleshy fruits, which can be distinguished from one another due to the number of layers they have between the rind and the seed.
Other traits may be taken into account, such as where the fruit matured from (position-wise), what disposition the seeds have, and what anatomy the fruit itself has, along with other botanical traits.
Below, we’ll review the two types of fruit that this query inquires about.
What are drupes?
Drupes are a type of fleshy fruit that stands apart from other types, due to the stone in the middle.
They have a thin peel (known formally as an exocarp), a fleshy middle layer (a mesocarp, which is the part we eat, along with the exocarp), and a rugged interior layer that protects the seed (the endocarp).
The seed is encased in the stone or pit, and for a new plant to be born from the embryo within, mechanical damage must be inflicted, either naturally, through the elements, or by artificial means, such as using acids and forcing the stone open with instruments.
Peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, prunes, and plums are all drupes, as they possess the aforementioned traits.
What are berries?
Berries are a type of fleshy fruit, that are distinguishable from other types as they have an exocarp (a peel or a rind), and an endocarp, in which the seeds are positioned.
These types of fruits include tomatoes, grapes, papayas, guavas, cranberries, eggplants, and even bananas.
However, some of these berries may grow on aggregated fruits, which is to say that their flowers grow in special arrangements (clusters). This is the case for grapes and bananas.
Berries come in many shapes and sizes, with their main trait being that they possess an outer rind, a fleshy matrix, and inside, the bare seeds can be extracted,
For reference, avocado is considered a berry, not a stonefruit.
Where are cherries grown?
Cherries are grown in many countries throughout the world, where both winters and summers are mild but distinguishable.
They require cold hours for their roots to grow and for their flowers to bloom in the spring. However, for there to be proper yields each year and avoid alternating production between growing seasons, it is necessary to cull some blooms.
Production-wise, as of 2021, Turkey was the world’s top cherry producer, followed by the USA, Chile, Uzbekistan, Itan, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Ukraine.
The world’s top exporters are Chile, Hong Kong, The USA, Turkey, Spain, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Austria, and Canada.
The world’s top importers are China, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Russia, the USA, Taiwan, and Austria.
What is the nutritional content of cherries?
On average, an 8.2-gram portion of fresh cherries will provide:
- 5.2 calories – of which 0.1 are sourced from fat
- 0.1 grams of protein
- 0 grams of fat
- 1.3 grams of carbohydrates – of which 0.2 grams are dietary fiber (1% of the RDI), and 1.1 grams are sugar.
- 18 milligrams of potassium (1% of the RDI)
Additionally, the same portion can provide trace amounts of vitamin A, calcium, and iron, and 1% of the RDI of vitamin C.
*Recommended daily intake values are based on a diet of 2000 calories per day. We encourage our readers to consult their exact dietary needs with a nutritionist.
What are the health benefits of eating cherries?
Cherries can provide many health benefits. They are low in fiber and contain various vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds that can provide health benefits.
Namely, cherries are a source of vitamins A, C, and K, and elements like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Additionally, they can provide antioxidants, that can help protect cells from damage inflicted by free radicals.
However, this is the case for fresh cherries. Processed cherries may not be so nutritious, as they may have added sugar and may constitute a source of empty calories.
We encourage our readers to be mindful of their daily caloric intake and to maintain a balanced diet, along with a healthy, active lifestyle.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we’ve addressed the search query: “Is a cherry a berry?” Also, we’ve explored what drupes are, what berries are, where cherries are grown, what the nutritional content of cherries is, and what are the health benefits of eating cherries.
References
https://www.tridge.com/intelligences/sweet-cherry/import
https://www.tridge.com/intelligences/sweet-cherry/export
