Yuyao Cherry (a specialty of Yuyao, Zhejiang)

Introduction to Yuyao Cherry

Cherry has a bright color, moderate sweetness and sourness, and is soft and juicy. It is a precious fruit that ripens early and is known as the "precious pearl among fruits". Its nutritional content is also very rich. According to analysis, every 100 grams of fresh fruit meat contains 8 grams of sugar, 1.2 grams of protein, 6 milligrams of calcium, 3 milligrams of phosphorus, 5.9 milligrams of iron, and various vitamins. Among them, the iron content is more than 20 times higher than apples, pears, and citrus, and the vitamin A content is 4-5 times higher than apples, pears, and grapes. In addition to fresh food, it can also be made into processed products such as cherry jam, cherry wine, and canned cherries. Cherries have the effects of regulating qi, replenishing vitality, and moisturizing the skin. They can prevent and treat diseases such as deficiency and anemia, making people's complexion rosy and youthful. Cherries usually take 3 years to produce after planting, enter the peak fruiting period in 5-6 years, have an economic lifespan of 20-30 years, and a single plant yield of 50 kilograms, with some reaching over 100 kilograms

There are three representative varieties of Yuyao cherries‘ Short stem: The fruit is flattened and round, with a completely red surface. The soluble solids content is over 12%, the average fruit weight is over 3.2g, and the total acid content is below 6.5%‘ Liang Nong Hong: The fruit is oblong in shape, with a slightly papillate at the top and a reddish purple surface. The soluble solids content is over 11%, the average fruit weight is over 4.0g, and the total acid content is below 5.5%‘ Black Pearl: The fruit is round in shape, with a purple red or purple black surface. The soluble solids content is over 13%, the average fruit weight is over 2.3g, and the total acid content is below 6.0%

Yuyao is one of the birthplaces of cherries, and wild cherries are still distributed on the edge of Siming Lake in Yuyao. Yuyao has a long history of cultivating cherries. According to the "Yuyao County Annals" of Ming Jiajing, cherries are commonly known as cherry trees and have a history of more than 500 years. In recent years, in order to meet the needs of the market, cherries have developed rapidly, with a cultivation area of over 2000 acres and a yield of about 15 tons. Cherries are sporadically distributed throughout the city, and are commonly found in vegetable gardens, corners, and in front and behind houses

The main production area of Yuyao cherries is a low mountain and hilly area with gentle terrain, suitable for cherry growth. The soil in the main cherry producing area of Yuyao is deep and slightly acidic, with abundant organic matter content. It belongs to monsoon climate with distinct four seasons, with slightly longer winter and summer and slightly shorter spring and autumn. The rainfall is abundant, with an average annual rainfall of 1547 millimeters, making it the most suitable climate zone for Chinese cherries. The main production area of Yuyao cherries is the Siming Lake belt, with superior water source conditions and abundant water resources

What are the nutritional values of Yuyao cherries

1. Anti anemia, promotes blood production. Cherries have high iron content and are ranked first among various fruits. Iron is the raw material for synthesizing human hemoglobin and myoglobin, playing an important role in human immunity, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism. It is also closely related to brain and nerve function, aging process, and other related processes. Eating cherries regularly can supplement the body's demand for iron, promote hemoglobin regeneration, prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia, enhance physical fitness, and improve brain function and intelligence

Awards and honors for Yuyao cherries

In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently issued Announcement No. 431, stating that according to the "Management Measures for Geographical Indications of Agricultural Products", a total of 186 agricultural products in China have obtained geographical indication registration certificates for agricultural products, among which Yuyao cherry agricultural products have obtained national geographical indication registration certificates for agricultural products