Which did not intend to speak sometimes about cherries of the Valley of Jerte, or better, which did not prove them.
The cherry was introduced by what is Arab in the northern zone of Cáceres and after the conquest its culture spectacularly grew. In the Average Age one spoke already about exquisites of these fruits come from ground of Extremadura, although it was during the century spent when it changed an authentic monoculture and its fame transferred the borders from our country.
Nowadays, the cherry is the economic base of the sector, already not only for the value of the product, but as by the enormous repercussion as the time of flowering exerts on the tourist sector. Its culture is extended along the two slopes of the mountains (with0 sunniest one calls him "veranda" and of the fresher "shadow") distributed in small properties which in its turn divide squares to save the inclination of the ground. More than one million cherry trees which can be manage to produce during one year of good harvest up to 20 Tm. The Valley of Jerte is the largest cherry producer of all Europe.
The cherry of Jerte is something special. Fruits of firm and smooth, tasty and refreshing texture. A delight for the palate. Heritage of many years of artisan breast feeding and artisan harvest is a very particular fruit. Although the trees are already not so large like front, the form of harvest is still manual. The men are hung the "basket" the shoulder, the subject thanks to the "hook" and, helped of the "cable", go up to the higher branches. The low branches are taken since the stairs. The women, meanwhile, undertake "to choose" and to choose. It is a difficult task, since one rests neither Saturdays nor Sundays. The result is worth the sorrow. The cherry of Jerte can manage to exceed the 30 millimetres in diameter, and its quality does not have competition.
The time of harvest, called ‘cerezera’, passes since April until well entered August. Progressive maturation is that which makes favourable one so long period. This is, on the one hand, with the different evolution from each class and by another, with the provision of the fruit trees in various heights. There are many varieties of cherries (Mollar, of Monsoon, Bout Black, Bout Colorao, California, Ambrunés......), each one with a texture and a particular savour. Some of big size, others with a more intense colour. That is all delicious. Among all it underlines the variety called "Picota" (this it is the name which some use incorrectly to in general identify with cherry). The "Picota" is one of the older varieties. In certain cases it was associated "Ambrunés" which is a cherry of size average, without tail, darker than the majority and of savour a little softer.
In addition the cherry is a food very healthy. It is a source of vitamin C and bioflavonoid, this why it acts like antioxidant. It has iron, magnesium, potassium, silicon and pro vitamin a (beta-carotene). Its daily consumption helps to reduce the blood levels of uric acid, which helps to envisage the fall. But what is really significant of this fruit is its capacity to protect from cancer. The acid which it contains inhibits the reproduction of carcinogenic cells. Moreover, assistance to regulate the intestinal transit time. Which it can be asked more?
To finish, we must make a recommendation. If they wish to really enjoy by eating cherries, anything better than to approach with the Valley and to buy them in each one of its co-operatives. The cherry recently taken of the tree knows still better. Moreover, one will be able to carry other derived products which will find with difficulty in other sites, such as for example liquor, fine cherry brandy or the marmalade. The latter is especially indicated not only by its savour and natural flavour, but also being carried out neither without additive nor of the conservatives.
The cherry of the Valley of Jerte is protected by its Denomination from Origin. |
