Sweetheart Cherries: Sweet, Delicious and Healthy

Sweetheart Cherries are a delectable treat that is perfect for that someone special, or for yourself. This sweet fruit gets its name from its unique shape as it looks like a red heart with a vibrant green stem growing from it. Red cherries are the perfect summer treat, but they are much more than simply a delicious snack food.

Versatile Fruit

Snacking on fresh, raw sweetheart cherries, with their ‘fresh-from-the-orchards’ taste, is only one way to eat them. You can sprinkle them on your favorite salad for a sweet, and slightly tart, flavor that adds a different taste texture to your summer greens. Just remember to keep the dressing light to avoid overwhelming the delicate flavor of the cherries.

Similarly, you can add cherries to your favorite dessert. They go well sprinkled on top of your favorite ice cream sundae, as the sweet juice melds with the cool, melting goodness of this dairy treat.

More Than Just Delicious

Of course, you love these sweet and juicy cherries because they taste delicious. There are also serious health benefits to eating them, though. They are arguably a powerhouse food with many benefits that dovetail nicely with the way today’s experts say you need to eat for the optimum in health.

One cup of cherries has only about 87 calories while it offers you a gram of protein and three grams of fiber. They also have antioxidants called anthocyanins that have been shown to help maintain heart health while reducing the risk of cancer. In addition, Sweetheart Cherries also have large amounts of Vitamin A, iron, Vitamin C, water-soluble Vitamin B, potassium and magnesium.

Though they have a short season when they are available, Sweetheart Cherries pack a powerful punch. They are well worth the wait; just make sure you take advantage of it, and stock up.