Add a Bowl Full of Cherries!
The phrase “life is a bowl full of cherries” can mean that life is very pleasant or, used sarcastically, that it isn’t. But cherries have a lot of positive aspects!
Did you know?
Washington, D.C. is home to about 3,800 cherry trees that put on a seriously stunning spring show. Planted over 100 years ago as a lovely gift of friendship from Japan, these beauties are mostly hanging out around the Tidal Basin—that scenic little spot nestled between the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. It’s basically the cherry blossom version of a red carpet-event.
Did you know?
- No Cherries on Cherry Blossom Trees—Say What?!
Those dreamy Japanese cherry blossom trees mentioned above? All show, no fruit. They’re grown for their gorgeous blooms, not cherry treats. So if you visit D.C. during the Cherry Blossom Festival, bring a camera, not a basket.
George Washington and the Cherry Tree? A Sweet Little Lie?
Turns out, the tale of ol’ George chopping down a cherry tree is more fiction than fact. There’s no real evidence it ever happened—just a creative story from a biographer who wanted to show off Washington’s honesty. So yes, we’ve all been bamboozled by a fruit-fueled fable.- Sweet vs. Tart: The Cherry Showdown
There are two main cherry tribes: the sweet ones (grown in California, Washington, and Oregon) and the tart ones (hailing mostly from Michigan and Wisconsin). Sweet cherries are snack-worthy and juicy, while tart cherries are the baking champs. Montmorency tarts hold their shape and let bakers play with the perfect sweet-to-sour ratio. Team Pie or Team Snack—what’s your pick? One Cherry Tree = 7,000 Cherries
Believe it or not, a single cherry tree can crank out around 7,000 cherries! That’s a whole lot of cherry cobbler, tarts, and sneaky snacking straight from the bowl.
Cherries: Nature’s Tiny Health Bombs
Don’t let their size fool you—cherries are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They’re also low in calories, making them the ultimate guilt-free snack. Eat ‘em fresh, toss ‘em in a smoothie, or just grab a handful and feel fancy. Yum!!!!!!!!
Here’s what you’ll typically find in one cup of sweet cherries (about 140 grams, with pits removed):
🍒 Calories: ~90
🍒 Carbohydrates: ~22 grams
🍒 Sugar: ~18 grams
🍒 Fiber: ~3 grams
🍒 Protein: ~1 gram
🍒 Fat: <1 gram
🍒 Vitamin C: ~10% of the Daily Value (DV)
🍒 Potassium: ~10% of the DV
🍒 Vitamin A: ~5% of the DV
🍒 Antioxidants: Especially anthocyanins and melatonin (bonus: these may help with sleep and inflammation!)
Sources: NPR , Taste of Home
