Bing cherries, fresh, dark red, and sweet, have gained huge popularity in the last 20 years. A generation ago, the cherry that used to rule was the syrupy marinated maraschino, not a pick-from-the-tree variety.
According to the Oregon Historical Society, Ah Bing, a Chinese immigrant worker, came to the United States and oversaw Seth Lewelling’s cherry orchards in Oregon. It is not known exactly who developed the large black sweet cherry, Seth or Bing, but we do know the Bing cherry was named in honor of the Chinese foreman.
There are now a variety of different cherries on the market, but the Bing is still the most popular. If exposed to too much rain near harvest, the cherry will crack, making the harvest worthless. It is grown all over the United States but most notably in California, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
During my trip to Door County, Wis., where the Bing is now in season, you will find the cherry in every conceivable form: cherry juice, cherry jam, cherry beer, cherry wine, cherry chutney, and of course chocolate-covered cherries—but there are so many more other forms!
Cherry is to pie, as cheese is to macaroni. Now, surely the term “as easy as pie” was not a reference to how easy it is to make pie, but more likely how easy it is to eat. But nowadays, with delicious ready-made pie crust available in the markets, making pie is actually very easy.
According to the Oregon Historical Society, Ah Bing, a Chinese immigrant worker, came to the United States and oversaw Seth Lewelling’s cherry orchards in Oregon. It is not known exactly who developed the large black sweet cherry, Seth or Bing, but we do know the Bing cherry was named in honor of the Chinese foreman.
There are now a variety of different cherries on the market, but the Bing is still the most popular. If exposed to too much rain near harvest, the cherry will crack, making the harvest worthless. It is grown all over the United States but most notably in California, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
During my trip to Door County, Wis., where the Bing is now in season, you will find the cherry in every conceivable form: cherry juice, cherry jam, cherry beer, cherry wine, cherry chutney, and of course chocolate-covered cherries—but there are so many more other forms!
Cherry is to pie, as cheese is to macaroni. Now, surely the term “as easy as pie” was not a reference to how easy it is to make pie, but more likely how easy it is to eat. But nowadays, with delicious ready-made pie crust available in the markets, making pie is actually very easy.
