Facts about Cherries

1. 07

   Cyanide compounds in cherry pits can release hydrogen cyanide when digested, requiring consumption of roughly 1,400 cherry pits to cause lethal toxicity in a 150-pound adult.

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2. 06

   Japanese cherry blossoms, which bloom for only 7-10 days annually, produce no fruit because ornamental Prunus serrulata varieties are sterile hybrids bred specifically for their flowers rather than edible cherries.

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3. 05

   Montmorency cherries, which dominate the tart cherry market, require approximately 16 hours of chilling below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during winter dormancy to produce optimal fruit yields the following season.

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4. 04

   Ancient Romans cultivated cherries extensively after General Pompey brought them to Italy from Asia Minor around 70 BCE, and within 100 years they had spread throughout the Roman Empire.

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5. 03

   A single cherry tree can produce up to 7,000 fruits annually, with most commercial varieties requiring cross-pollination from a compatible partner tree planted within 50 feet.

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6. 02

   Tart cherries contain approximately 25 milligrams of anthocyanins per 100 grams, making them one of the richest dietary sources of these anti-inflammatory antioxidants.

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7. 01

   Over 900 varieties of cherries exist worldwide, with the Bing cherry accounting for approximately 65 percent of commercial production in the United States.

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