Usually, the peak of flowering of cherry-trees in Germany starts in mid-April and takes a maximum of ten to fourteen days – the warmer it is, the faster the flowering is gone. By the beginning of May the flower dream will vanish.
In Japan, the cherry blossom (Japanese 桜 sakura) is one of the most important symbols of Japanese culture and expression of the Japanese soul. It represents beauty, departure and transience (mono no aware). The time of cherry blossom marks a climax in the Japanese calendar and it is the beginning of spring in Japan.
Cherries are really vitamin bombs, they are rich in vitamins C, B vitamins and folic acid. In addition, it contains numerous minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. In addition to the ingredients already mentioned, it is mainly the dyes contained in the fruits that make cherries healthy. These are called anthocyanins and have an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, they should protect against cell damage and delay the aging process. Some studies even certify that cherries have a protective effect against cancer, but this effect has not yet been proven. Incidentally, the advantages mentioned above mainly relate to sour cherries, such as, for example, the morello cherries, because they have a higher content of anthocyanins.
Cherries also have a positive effect on our sleep because they produce natural melatonin, which is responsible for our sleep-wake cycle. When regularly consumed, sour cherry juice also reduces muscle soreness. This is attributed to the fact that the fruits contain antioxidants that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fresh German cherries can be bought from June to August. In supermarkets you will find only the fruits that have grown well protected. There are two dangers still to be found on the tree: On the one hand, the stone fruit also tastes very good for the birds. On the other hand, it often rains just when the fruits are ripe and they burst.