July 11th is National Rainier Cherry Day #RainierCherryDay. Even though David eat Cherries and I’ve purchased them for him in the past have you heard of Rainier Cherries? Have you ever had them? If not would you like to go to the Grocery Store with me to pick up some of these Cherries to make a Pie for David for dinner?
National Rainier Cherry Day is celebrated in America on July 11th. National Rainier Cherry Day celebrates one of the nation’s best-loved Summer Fruits. National Rainier Cherry Day also marks the peak of the Rainier Cherry harvest for growers in Washington. In fact, Washington produces some of the highest quantities of Rainier Cherries in the States.
The Rainier Cherries are golden yellow Cherries with tender, creamy-yellow flesh and a red blush. Rainier Cherries have a tiny brown-colored kernel, too. Rainier Cherries have a high Sugar content and are classified as premium Fruits. Rainier Cherries are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and potassium.
The creator and the history of National Rainier Cherry Day are largely unknown. Back in 1952, Dr. Harold W. Fogle, a researcher at Washington State University, crossed the Bing and Van varieties of Cherries to create the unique Rainier Cherry. Rainier Cherry gets its name from the great Mount Rainier in Washington State. Farmers started harvesting this variety after it was approved for commercial production in 1960.
Rainier Cherries belong to the Prunus genus and are descendants of Prunus avium, the wild Cherry. July is the prime season for Rainier Cherry harvesting in Washington and Rainier Cherries grow for only two months every year. Growing Rainier Cherries is quite a challenging task for farmers. Since the Fruit has a thin and fragile skin, it is highly prone to bruising. Rainier Cherries are hand-picked with extra care from the Tree and put in tiny bags or lugs to minimize contact. Rainier Cherries are temperamental crops that are sensitive to weather changes like high temperatures, rain, or strong winds.
Birds feast on Rainier Cherries, too, and Rainier Cherries are a menace to farmers, who put up nets to keep the Birds from this precious Fruit. Rainier Cherries are treated with the utmost care, even after they are picked from the trees. Immediately after harvest, the Fruit is hydro-cooled to preserve the freshness of the Fruit. Rainier Cherries are quite expensive compared to red Cherries. Even though the price remains high, people don’t mind shelling out extra money to enjoy the sweetness and nutritional values of the Fruit.
How To Celebrate National Ranier Cherry Day
- Have a bowl of cold Rainier Cherries for breakfast on National Rainier Cherries Day because the Cherries are rich in antioxidants, and Rainier Cherries will give you a boost of energy to go about your day.
- If you are in Washington, consider visiting a Rainier Cherry Farm where Orchards and Farms often organize walks for visitors.
- There is Wines made from Rainier Cherries which are quite popular, pour yourself a glass of this Wine to enjoy National Cherry Rainier Day in style.
Facts about Cherries
- Rainier Cherries are sweeter and bigger than red Cherries.
- A Cherry Tree is bountiful and can bear up to 7,000 Cherries.
- Charles V loved Cherries and he planted around 1,000 Cherry Trees in his garden.
- Cherries are believed to have originated somewhere between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea.
Why people love National Rainier Cherry Day
- Rainier cherries are available only during the Summer months, which makes them very precious.
- Rainier Cherries tell the story of a successful hybrid experiment. Rainier Cherries is both a natural and human-made wonder.
- Cherries are a common ingredient in Cakes, Pies, Tarts, Ice Creams, and drinks. Today also celebrates the versatility of this wonder Fruit.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
