03/01/07 The Super Cherry

The Cherry Marketing Institute, headquartered in Lansing, MI recently hosted an event aimed at of letting the world know about the flavor and health benefits of cherries. Tart cherries are grown in the upper Midwest and East with sweet cherries predominately in the Northwest. According to CMI's research, most consumers are in the dark about the antioxidant content and nutritional value of cherries; Cherries were ranked as the `least nutritious` fruit in a recent survey of 1,000 consumers who were asked to compare cherries with blueberries, cranberries, apples and bananas. However, cherries were on top when it came to taste, as 60 percent of people said they prefer the taste of cherries compared to blueberries and cranberries. Although people love the taste of cherries, they tend to think about pie and other desserts when the fruit is mentioned. They also think of cherries as just a summertime treat. The institute`s goal is to change that perception with its current promotional campaign. Dr. Russell J. Reiter, of the department of cellular and structural biology at the University of Texas Health Science Center, has been researching melatonin for 30 years, elaborated, adding that over 75 studies have been conducted on cherries, which have proved they have nearly the same antioxidant level as blueberries and more than cranberries. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.