Bing Cherries – Good Tasting and Good For You!

Sweet mountain Bing cherries are quite simply, delicious. Their rich, deep red color and superb sweetness make them a favorite summer snack for many. They are easy to eat and very satisfying. While they taste fantastic, perhaps the best thing about Bing cherries is their nutrition.

Bing cherries are typically harvested from mid-June to mid-August. The majority of Bing cherries grown in the United States are from Washington. Other states in the northwest produce cherries as well. When selecting sweet mountain Bing cherries, look for cherries that are large and firm and have a deep red color. Immature Bing cherries will be small and lighter in color while over-ripe ones will be soft and wrinkly. Store unwashed cherries in the refrigerator and wash just prior to use. Many people swear that they are best enjoyed at room temperature to fully taste their flavor.

Sweet mountain Bing cherries are low in calories – about 90 calories per one cup serving. There is only a trace amount of fat (.5 gram per one cup), no sodium, and no cholesterol. Additionally, there are 22 grams of carbohydrates and two grams of protein in each one cup serving of bing cherries. They get their sweetness from the natural sugars they contain. Natural sugars are much healthier than the refined sugars found in other sweet treats such as cookies or candy. Sweet mountain Bing cherries are perfect for a between meal snack or a great, low-calorie addition to other healthy foods such as yogurt, oatmeal or smoothies.

Other nutrients to consider that make Bing cherries a healthy choice include vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important part of any healthy diet and a one cup serving of Bing cherries provides 15% of the recommended daily allowance. Some of the benefits of vitamin C include a modest effect combating the common cold and even improving moods. Vitamin C may also protect agains immune system deficiencies, eye disease, prenatal health problems, cardiovascular disease and even skin wrinkling. Bing cherries also contain 2% each of the daily values of vitamin A, Calcium and Iron. With all these vitamins and minerals, sweet mountain Bing cherries are a delicious way to add important nutrients to any diet!

Finally, Bing cherries are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants protect and repair cells from the damage that can be caused by free radicals. This damage can lead to a variety of chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis and others. Adding antioxidants to your diet by eating sweet mountain Bing cherries is a sweet solution!