Sweet or sour, red or purple, cherries are full of flavor and antioxidants. If you have ever picked cherries from trees, you sure experienced that it is hard labor. I had the chance to learn it first hand while I was visiting a relative’s cherry garden when I was little. Inarguably, it is not an easy task to harvest these heart shaped fruits. Though your efforts will surely pay off in the end, you must be careful. I was warned not to consume so much in one sitting. They might be little, but they have super powers. So, what happens when you eat a lot of cherries? You start running. Simply put, cherries are known for their constipation relief effects!
Cherries symbolize rebirth
In Japan, the cherry tree symbolizes revival and good fortune. Have you ever heard of the two cherries tattoo? Guess what; the pair of cherries tattoo stands for the best two bets. Supposedly, it is the juice of everlasting immortality. So, you better drink some, right?
Impressive health benefits
Aside from cherries’ fantastic myths, they are significantly resourceful for a nourishing diet. There are so many new researches coming up every day about their health benefits. Always make room in your diet for these single-seeded superfoods. Cherries are loaded with impressive nutrients and known for their anti-inflammatory compounds.* And, it does not matter if you favor the sweet or sour version; both types offer many minerals and vitamins.
If you can tolerate some tartness in your life, you can gain precious minerals and joy from the sour cherries. For instance, cherries are a good source of electrolytes such as phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Keep in mind, the reason why the tart cherries taste so sour is because of their higher acidity levels.
Bake pies or make drinks with cherries
Most people prefer the sweet version for eating raw, yet the sour cherries are great for baking and drinks. Who does not like cherry pie? Regardless of its health benefits, sour cherry juice is one of my favorite drinks. It is so easy to make. Note that you can use either fresh or frozen cherries for this recipe. I tend to store extra cherries in the fridge during summertime, and later make a cherry concentrate with them in the winter.
Homemade Sour Cherry Juice Concentrate
Course: DrinksCuisine: Drinks, BeverageDifficulty: Easy12
servings15
minutes45
minutes120
kcal1
hourIngredients
1 pound (454 g) frozen cherries (with seeds)
– If making from fresh, wash and clean the cherries)8 1/2 cups (2 liters) water
3/4 cup honey
Directions
- Add the frozen cherries into a medium size saucepan.
- Pour in the water.
- Bring it to boil.
- Simmer for 35 minutes.
- Add the honey.
- Cook for another 10 minutes.
- Take off the heat and drain over the mesh strainer.
- Pour into bottles.
Notes
- You can keep the concentrated juice in vacuum-sealed bottles for 3-4 months. Once opened, store in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can add this cheery concentrate into cakes and pies to elevate the flavor.
- You can cut down the added honey if you want the unsweetened version.