The County Press

Why is February called National Cherry Month?


 

 

In many parts of the country, February still brings snowy days and cold nights… However, February also brings us one month closer to the warmer weather of spring and summer and nothing says warm weather is approaching than blossoms on the trees.

Soon, millions of cherry blossoms will begin to appear in Washington DC.

February is rich in history and folklore about the little red super fruit of cherries. So let’s learn more about why February is called

National Cherry Month.

February earned the title of National Cherry Month because is includes both President’s Day and Washington’s Birthday.

The “alleged chopper of the cherry tree”, our first

President is deeply rooted in folklore. When young George Washington’s father ask who chopped down a cherry tree on the family farm, the young Washington replied, “I cannot tell a lie, I chopped down the cherry tree.” This event helped to link Washington and cherries forever to February.

President’s Day is also in the second month of the year. Our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln also celebrates a birthday in February.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington DC is also in February. This is an annual event where millions of cherry blossoms can be seen throughout Washington DC. Over the years, several of us from

Traverse Bay Farms have traveled to Washington DC during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Once people learn we are from Michigan and sell tart cherry juice, they always ask us why tart cherry juice is good for arthritis.

FACTS ABOUT CHERRY TREES

• Did you know that each cherry tree grows enough cherries to produce
700 cherry pies?
• Cherry blossoms are only in bloom for a maximum of two weeks.
• The peak bloom period lasts just a couple of days.
• Cherry trees start producing cherries 5 years after being planted.
• The average cherry tree grows 7,000 cherries per year.
• Bees are vital to pollinating cherry trees. It takes 30-40 bees to pollinate a
single cherry tree. Bee hives are placed throughout the cherry orchard.
• Cherry pits can be used in pellet stoves. After you get done eating the
fresh cherries, you can heat your home with the pits. One pound of cherry
pits produce approximately 9500 BTU’s.
• Over 70% of all tart cherries grown in the United States are grown in the
Northwestern region of lower Michigan.
• This region of the Great Lakes state is commonly known as the “Cherry
Capital of the World” and is also referred to as the “Traverse Bay Farms”
region.

Source: www.TraverseBayFarms.com

Cherry Almond Pie Recipe

by Taste of Home

Ingredients
• 4 cups pitted canned or
frozen tart red cherries
• 3/4 cup sugar
•1 tablespoon butter
• Pinch salt
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/3 cup cold water
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring,
optional
• Pastry for double-crust pie (9
inches)

Directions

Drain cherries, reserving 2/3 cup juice in a saucepan; discard remaining juice. To the juice, add the cherries, sugar, butter and salt. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into cherry mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat; stir in the almond extract and food coloring if desired. Cool.

Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom pastry; add filling. Make a lattice crust. Trim, seal and flute edges. Bake at 375° for 45-50 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 436 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 242mg sodium, 73g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.