Because we live in Canada, fresh fruit is a luxury. Unlike our Southern neighbours who have easier access to fresh fruit, we only have Canadian-grown fruit for about 4 or 5 months in the summer. So, it's not surprising most Albertans think of BC cherries as more of a treat than a healthy snack. 

Our BC cherries may taste 'just like candy,' but they're much better for you! Here are 3 things you likely didn't know about cherries: 

1. A few cherries a day will keep the doctor away. One cup of cherries contains only about 8 grams of carbs, 35 calories, and 1 gram of fibre. Looking for a healthy snack? Try eating some cherries! 
2. If you thought watermelon was the "watery" fruit, think again! Cherries are 95% moisture/water. There's no harm in subbing one of your daily glasses of water for a glass of cherries, is there? 
3. Support healthy vision - eat cherries! Like carrots, cherries contain beta-carotene, which is a precursor to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is very important for healthy vision and a lack of it can lead to Cataracts and Macular degeneration. 

On our orchard, we grow different types of cherries including Santina, Early Robin, Rainier, Sour, and Sweethearts: 

• Santina cherries are dark red (almost black) and very sweet. 
• Early Robin cherries are yellow and light red. They're sweet like Rainier cherries but not quite as tart! 
• Rainier cherries are yellow and blush like Early Robins. They're quite sweet and tart! 
• Sour cherries are bright red and a little sour! A little more acidic than Santinatina cherries. 
• Sweetheart cherries are between a bright and a deep red. They're sweet with acidic undertones. 

Get your fix of cherries by visiting us at the markets soon! 

References: 

Canadian Nutrient File 

Dieticians of Canada "Food Sources of Fibre" 

Dietetic Intern, Victoria Lovsin