A basic herbal guide.

Fruit: Suriname Cherry

Suriname Cherry, Eugenia uniflora

Suriname cherry, simply known as “cherry” in Bermuda, is a shrub-like tree that produces a small fruit. The tree is used as a hedge and during the fruiting season it's commonplace for the edge of the road to turn red from fallen fruit. Cherries are easy to pick when ripe and will fall to the ground if brushed by a vehicle.

I've tasted cherries my entire life so how can I describe what they taste like without saying “they taste like cherries?” This is my attempt – cherries are tart, yet sweet. You can taste the high vitamin C content when you bite into the fruit, then a burst of sweet juice fills your mouth. The best cherries are eaten when they are fully ripe, bright red and plump. Attempts to eat orange cherries only lead to disappointment.

Cherries are small enough to be eaten in a single bite however the “2-bite taste test” is the best way to determine if a cherry bush has fruit worthy of eating. Take a bite of the fruit to taste it. If delicious, then eat the whole cherry, spitting out the pit, and pick more. If it tastes terrible, drop the cherry and find another bush. Leave those cherries for the birds.

Suriname cherries can have 2 fruiting seasons in Bermuda – Spring and Fall.

Try It Out

Cherries are so abundant, try experimenting with making homemade preserves.

Crush cherry leaves and apply to bare skin as an insect repellent.

General Benefits

Properties

Vitamin C; Vitamin A; Potassium; Magnesium; Insect Repellent; Anti-inflammatory

#Fruit