Those are perhaps the two most favorite words of someone seeking health joints naturally. A lot of studies have been published showing that benefits of cherry concentrate. But what exactly is cherry concentrate and how is it made?

For many people, they may not know that over 70% of all of the tart cherry production comes from Michigan. In fact, the Northwestern lower peninsula of Michigan is called “Cherry Capital of the World”. This region of Michigan has over 2.5 million cherry trees and countless farms of all sizes growing this amazing little red fruit. Many of the families growing the fruit have been around for generations, thus the area offers a deep history of family loyalty. However, over the years some of the farmers have sold out their cherry orchards to residential developers to build houses, thus reducing the total number of cherries being harvested every year.

On the other hand, the area has also seen an increase of new trees being planted and thus will be offsetting those being ripped from the ground to make houses. What this means is the more fruit that is available for cherry juice concentrate can be processed and produced for those seeking to enjoy an active a healthy lifestyle naturally.

For decades, the tart cherry has been quietly growing a dedicated fan base for those looking to maintain health joint function and who routinely consumed the fruit and the cherry juice to help soothe their symptoms and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Until recently, the only published evidence was anecdotal. However, thanks to hard working researchers there is proven science behind the cherry folklore. This also include the cherry juice, too. 

The suspicion and belief that cherries might help with maintaining healthy joint function was first proposed in 1950 (Blau 1950).This preliminary published study uncovered the fact that daily consumption of cherries helped to maintain healthy joint function.

Cherry_Juice_Fruit_Advantage_Cherry_Juice

Cherry S’mores

 

• 1/2 cup marshmallow creme
• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/8 teaspoon of cherry juice concentrate
• 12 graham cracker squares (2* inches each) 

1. Put marshmallow creme, dried cherries, cherry juice and chocolate chips in a medium bowl; mix well.
2. Add the cherry juice slowing so it mixes well with the other ingredients
3. Place 6 of the graham crackers on a microwave-safe plate. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of marshmallow mixture on each cracker. Top with remaining crackers.
4. Microwave, uncovered, on High (100% power) 30 to 45 seconds, or until marshmallow mixture is soft and warm. Carefully remove plate from the microwave and set on a hot pad. Let S’mores cool slightly before eating them.

 Makes 6 servings.

Note: To prepare in a conventional oven, place 6 of the graham crackers in an ovenproof baking dish. Proceed as above. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 2 to 3 minutes, or until marshmallow mixture is soft and warm. Remove baking dish from the oven with hot pads and set on a hot pad on the counter. Let S’mores cool slightly before eating them

Over the next several posts I am going to share some interesting and hard-to-find facts about cherries, cherry juice and more. Much of this information is a result of extensive research and reading. In addition to having information about the fresh and dried tart cherry, I’ll also include information about cherry juice.

There are two main types of cherries: sweet and sour. Sour cherries are lower in calories and higher in vitamin C and beta carotene than sweet cherries.

Sour

Montgomery
This variety is the best known sour cherry or tart cherry. It is mostly canned or frozen for use as pie filling or sauce. 

Sweet

Bing
This variety is the best known sweet cherry. It is large, round, extra-sweet and has a purple-red flesh and a deep red skin that is close to black when fully ripe. The Bing is available from the end of May until early August.

Lambert
This variety is the second most popular sweet cherry. It is smaller than the Bing and is more heart shaped. It has a dark-red skin and a rich flavor. Lamberts are available a bit longer than the Bing, usually until the end of August.

Rainer
This variety is sweet with a yellow or pinkish skin. It is milder and sweeter than the Bing. However, this variety is grown in limited quantities.

Royal Ann
This variety has a blush-yellow skin and is often canned or made into maraschino cherries.

Cherry Lemonade Pops

This treat is delicious; share it with your friends.

• 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries
• 1 (12-ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, partly thawed
• 1/4 cup water
• 8 (3-ounce) paper cups
• 8 popsicle sticks
• 1/2 tablespoon cherry juice concentrate

1. Put a colander or strainer in a bowl. Pour cherries into the strainer, saving the juice in the bowl. Add the cherry juice concentrate to this cherry juice
2. Put one whole cherry in each paper cup. Put the remaining cherries on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, carefully cut cherries into small pieces. Have an adult show you how to use the knife.
3. Put chopped cherries, lemonade concentrate, water and the juice your saved from the jar of cherries in the container of an electric blender or food processor. Cover blender or processor. Puree or blend until smooth. Do not put a spoon or spatula in the blender while it is running and keep your hands clear of the working parts.
4. Fill paper cups with equal amounts of cherry mixture. Freeze 30 to 40 minutes, or until very slushy.
5. Place popsicle sticks in the center of each cup. Freeze 1 hour longer, or until firm. To serve, peel off paper cups.

Makes 8 servings.

Tart cherries are a good source of antioxidants including anthocyanins, phytochemicals, melatonin and more. Discover just a few of the types of antioxidants naturally found in the Montmorency tart cherry.