Bing cherries, named after a foreman who helped grow them in Oregon in the 19th century, are the most popular North American cherries due to their deep red color and sweet taste. They are best eaten fresh and can be used in jams, pies, and desserts. Bing cherries have health benefits, including reducing toxins and inflammation in the body.
Bing cherries are a very popular variety of cherry first grown in Oregon in the 19th century by Seth Lewelling. Cherry is named after Lewelling’s foreman, who is identified only as Bing. Bing is said to have proved useful in growing these cherries and some sources credit Bing as the actual inventor of this most popular of cherries.
Since their cultivation in 1870, Bing cherries have become the most popular North American cherries, surpassing any other style. They are attracted to the deep red color of the cherries and also their consistently sweet flavor. Bing Cherries are still true to their roots of origin, with the largest producers of cherries in the Pacific Coast states. Their season is relatively short, so it can be easy to lose. You will generally find them fresh from the beginning of June to July.
The color of Bing cherries may vary slightly. They can be bright red to deep brown in color, and usually darken as they ripen. The ripest cherry will exhibit the sweetest taste, but even those that are still a little firm and bright red are usually sweet. It’s a good idea to keep fully ripe Bing cherries in the refrigerator, especially since they’re mostly available during the warm months. Once ripe, they only last a few days before rotting, and the old saying, “One bad apple can ruin a whole bunch” applies to cherries the same way. Once Bings begins to mold, the mold can easily spread into the rest of a bag or bowl of Bings.
Many people prefer to eat Bings straight from the hand. They are excellent simply washed and eaten as such. Bing cherries also make their way into delicious cherry jams and marmalades, cherry pie, and desserts like cherry jubilee. If you want a truly superlative cherry pie, you may want to choose Bings that are less on the ripe side, or add a couple of Queen Annes or Raniers to the mix. Bings are generally so sweet, they make for a too-sweet filling when used when fully ripe. A slightly tart cherry tends to make for a better cake.
Like many agricultural products, Bing cherries can vary based on the season in which they are grown. Late rains, especially common in Oregon and Washington, can ruin a cherry crop, causing mold to form on cherries or cherry skins. Farmers also have to contend with birds for their cherry crop. Most birds are attracted to cherries as an extraordinary delicacy. So picking cherries as soon as they are ripe is important enough to get a full harvest.
Studies conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2003 show preliminary evidence that Bing cherries help reduce toxins from the body and are a great anti-inflammatory food. Cherries have been tested for both their effectiveness in treating arthritis and gout, and the research study concluded that positive results could be achieved by eating a daily supply of fresh cherries.
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