【Long knowledge】
◎Science Times reporter Hu Lijuan
During the Spring Festival, when people visit relatives and friends, they like to bring some fruits with them. The sweet and sour cherries are on many people’s shopping lists. Recently, the topic of "Are cherries a large cherry?" has aroused heated discussion among netizens. So, are cherries really big cherries? How to choose high-quality cherries?
"Cherrys and cherries are 'brothers' of the same genus but different species. They both belong to the genus Cherry in the Rosaceae family, but they are different varieties, similar to the relationship between kiwi and kiwi." Ph.D., School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing Gardener Li Jun, a senior engineer at the Greening Science Research Institute, said that cherries are generally larger, while cherries are usually smaller.
"In addition to size, there are some differences between cherries and cherries, which both belong to the cherry 'family'." Li Jun said.
First, the colors are different. The peel of cherries is darker in color, usually dark red. The skin of domestic cherries is lighter in color, usually light red.
Second, the taste is different. Cherries have a dense texture and a sweet taste, more sweet than cherries. Cherries have a hard texture, sweet and sour taste, and a clear fruity sour taste.
The third is the different origins. Cherries are imported fruits, mainly produced in countries such as Chile. Long-distance transportation and long-term storage have caused the freshness and quality of cherries to decline to a certain extent. Cherry is a native fruit in my country. The transportation time and distance are shorter, and the freshness is more guaranteed.
There is a view online that cherries are an out-of-season fruit and eating them is not good for your health. "The cherries currently on the market are not out-of-season fruits." Li Jun explained that cherries are mostly imported from southern hemisphere countries such as Chile, and the seasons in the southern hemisphere are exactly opposite to those in our country. Cherries begin to mature around November, which is the local summer.
Li Jun suggested that when purchasing cherries, consumers should choose ones that are fresh, with intact skin, plump and firm, and with stems. "Pay special attention to the 'J' mark on the outer packaging of the fruit. This is a commonly used grading unit in the southern hemisphere. The more 'J's, the larger the cherries. It is recommended to soak the cherries in light salt water before eating. 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with running water and eat." He said. (Science and Technology Daily)