Several varieties of cherries are grown in California, including in Sonoma County, though cherries are not a local commercial crop. Cherry trees need cold winters to produce good fruit and so recent drought years with warmer-than-usual winters have impacted local crops.
Nutrition: Cherries are full of micronutrients, including boron, which is essential to bone health, anti-inflammatory anthocyanins, quercetin, and potassium, along with Vitamins A, C, and B Complex. There are about 90 calories in a cup of pitted Bing cherries, 2 to 3 of which are from naturally occurring fat. Cherries contain no gluten, no cholesterol, no caffeine and no sodium.
Serving suggestions: After you’ve had your fill of cherries neat, enjoy them in salads, salsas and relishes, sliced onto toast slathered with creme fraiche or cream cheese, and in galettes, tarts, and pies. Spoon poached cherries alongside roasted chicken, roasted pork tenderloin or grilled wild Pacific King salmon or spooned over ice cream or gelato.