Frequently Asked Questions
Why are cherries called cherries?
The English name cherry evolved from the French, cerise, which in turn comes from the latin, cerasum. This is likely to be related to the name of a city in Asia Minor (now Turkey), called Cerasus, which was known for its abundance of cherries. It is also said that it was cherries from Cerasus that were first imported to Europe.
Did you know?
Cherries were introduced to England at the command of Henry VIII, who had tasted them in Flanders (Belgium).
What kind of fruit is a cherry?
Cherries are drupes, or stone fruit. They have a single seed, or pip, and are surrounded by flesh and a thin skin. They are related to plums, peaches and nectarines.
How many varieties of cherries are there?
There are over 900 different varieties of sweet cherries and 300 varieties of sour cherries recorded worldwide!
Did you know?
The heaviest cherry on record was grown in Italy by Gerardo Maggipinto in 2003. It weighed 21.69 g.
Where are Australian cherries grown?
41% of cherries are grown in New South Wales. Young, Orange and Bathurst are key production areas. Other significant growing regions include Victoria (27%) particularly around the Dandenong Ranges and Goulburn Valley near Melbourne; South Australia (17%) at the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Riverland area; Tasmania (14%) where they are grown at the Huon Valley and Derwent Valley, and Western Australia (1%), in the elevated southwest region.
How long is the Australian cherry season?
Australian cherries have a very short season, from November to February, so it is important to take advantage and make good use of them while they are around!
Do cherries ripen once they have been picked?
No. As soon as cherries are picked and sorted they are sent straight to the markets and shops, ready to be bought the very next day.
How many cherries do Australians eat?
Last year, Australians consumed 11,000 tonnes of cherries!
Did you know?
Songwriters Lew Brown and Ray Henderson wrote a song called "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries." The song, recorded in 1931, expresses the notion that life, just like the cherry season, is brief, so we should enjoy it while we've got it.
