The cherries are one of the spring-summer fruits best known and valued for its exquisite taste, its many benefits, and all the possibilities offered in cooking, especially pastries. However, they are best enjoyed naturally.
It is a fruit that does not ripen once harvested, so it must be picked at the exact moment, depending on the ripening period of each variety, to take advantage of all its properties.
There are several varieties of cherries, from Bing cherries, rainier cherries, to Montmorency and morello cherries. However, one of the best known is the pillory, which stands out for its quality and excellent flavor. Although all pillories are cherries, not all cherries are pillory, could you tell the difference between a common cherry and a pillory?
The truth is that they are quite subtle, and you have to look closely to distinguish them. These are the keys to distinguish a common cherry from a pillory:
- By Its Corner (Or The Absence Of It)
The most obvious is in the corner or peduncle. The pillories do not have this appendage, since it is normally attached to the tree after the fruit detaches naturally. In the other cherries, the opposite happens; the stalk remains attached to the fruit. However, the most important thing is that the seal or corner scar is white.
- By Its Size And Color
Size and color are also important clues to distinguish between them. Pillories tend to have a darker red color and are usually smaller. They have a caliber of 24-26 mm, compared to 30-32 mm for the rest of the cherries.
- By Its Flavor And Texture
This is the decisive factor, although much depends on each subjectivity. The picota are sweeter with a flavor intense and more homogeneous texture and less watery than other cherries. In addition, their meat is crisp and smooth, especially when taking the first bite.
Similarly, the pillory seed or pit is slightly larger than that of other varieties of cherries. In addition, they can also be identified by season. The pillory is usually harvested between July and August, while other varieties begin in April or May.
Nutritional Information Of Cherries
- The cherry provides us with an impressive amount of vitamin C (15 mg per 100 g) and beta-carotene.
- Its richness in potassium gives it diuretic properties, and its fibers stimulate intestinal functioning.
- It also contains antioxidant polyphenols that protect our cells from degenerative diseases (cancers, cardiovascular diseases).
On the other hand, it is better for those who wish to reduce sugar to avoid the cherry. It is very sweet (12.7g of carbohydrates per 100g), it is quite high in calories compared to other red fruits.