Cherries may be either deliciously sweet or quite tart but there is no doubt about it that cherries are a popular food all around the world. Cherries have numerous qualities but not many of us are familiar with those qualities, let’s uncover that hidden qualities and facts that are good for our health & mind. Let’s explore 40 Interesting Cherry Facts.

1. The name “cherry” also refers to the cherry tree and is sometimes applied to almonds.

2. A cultivated cherry is recorded as having been brought to Rome by Lucius Licinius Lucullus.

3. Cherries were introduced into England at Teynham, near Sittingbourne in Kent, by order of Henry VIII.

4. Cherries arrived in North America early in the settlement of Brooklyn, New York.

5. Canada holds the record for baking the biggest cherry pie in the world.

6. Kirsch was the name given to cherries that were first cultivated in Mesopotamia in 8 BC.

7. At one point in time, serving ice cream on cherry pie in Kansas was prohibited.

8. Traverse City, Michigan celebrates the annual National Cherry Festival since 1925.

9. Every year, the Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm hosts the International Cherry Pit Spit contest in Eau Claire, Michigan.

10. Glace cherries are processed for an extra two weeks because this gives them a candy-like property.

11. A chemical reaction between cherries and alkalies such as baking powder causes a blue discoloration in a baked product.

12. In 300 BCE, fossilized cherry pits have been found by archaeologists in prehistoric caves throughout Europe and Asia.

13. Washington grows an estimated 62% of U.S. sweet cherries.

14. A typical cherry tree produces 7,000 cherries.

15. From the 1990s, Turkey produces 535,000 tons of cherries annually.

16. The world record for cherry-pit spitting is 93 feet.

17. The West Indian cherry, known as Malpighia emarginata, is native to West Indian islands and grown in Mexico, and Texas regions in North America.

18. Acerola belongs to the tropical fruit-bearing shrubs in the family Malpighiaceae and contains 2-3 tiny seeds.

19. Research studies also suggest that antioxidant compounds in tart cherries can help the human body fight against cancers.

20. Cherries are also a minor source of minerals like zinc, iron, potassium, and manganese.

21. The anti-inflammatory property of cherries has been found effective in reducing heart-disease risk.

22. Acerola or West Indian cherry has exceptionally very high levels of vitamin-C.

23. Cherry is a flowering plant that belongs to the family of roses (Rosaceae).

24. Sweet and sour cherry are the best-known varieties of cherry.

25. Cherries are often used in the cosmetic and perfume industry because of their beautiful fragrance.

26. Some varieties of cherry trees are cultivated in ornamental purposes.

27. A cherry tree can grow 33 feet in height. Cultivated types are usually smaller.

28. The Tree of Cherry has silver-grey bark which is very smooth and becomes rough with fissures in old trees.

29. The cherry tree develops beautiful white flowers during the spring.

30. In ancient Japanese, there is a tradition of viewing cherry trees while they are in bloom named as “Hanami”.

31. Fruit production starts 3 to 4 years after planting.

32. Scientific experiments showed that cherries have the potential to reduce inflammation and sensation of pain in rats.

33. When it comes to furniture, the wood of cherry tree has fine structure to manufacture furniture.

34. Traverse City, Michigan is considered the Cherry Capital of the World.

35. Michigan has about 3.8 million tart cherry trees and about 0.5 million sweet cherry trees.

36. A cherry tree can survive and produce fruit around 100 years.

37. There are about 100 whole cherries in an 8-ounce glass of cherry juice.

38. Harold Robertson set the record for picking the most cherries by hand in one day in 1958.

39. January 3rd is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day.

40.  British Columbia, Canada holds the record for the largest cherry pie at 39,683 lbs. (Adam)