Driving through Old Mission Penninsula, we came upon a road side stand selling fresh cherries. After a long day at the beach, if felt like the best way to end the day so we stopped to purchase some. The attendant said they had just sold the last bunch but if we had a couple minutes to spare, they would bring some right out. Not in a hurry, we stayed and chatted with him until the cherries were brought up. “Fresh off the tree” he said. I took one and popped it in my mouth. “Mmmm…still warm from the sun.” “You betcha.” And we went on our way.

Cherries aren’t just a fruit in Northern Michigan — they are a way of life. In the spring, you can drive along any of our Penninsulas and see rows and rows of the blossoming cherry tree. Our farmers take pride in producing the best produce they can. For one week in July, they are rewarded by the celebration of the fruit of their labor – literally. For the National Cherry Festival is underway and growers are sending truck loads of cherries downtown every day. The cherries are used to make pies, crisps, juice, ice cream, trail mix, and even beer! And to leave none of the cherry to waste, there’s even a pit spit contest.

The cherry growers are not the only ones who benefit from this sumptuous fruit. Heard of “super fruits”? Well, the cherry is Northern Michigan’s super fruit. Anti-oxidants are in abundance in this little powerhouse. Tart cherries also contain beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber, and folate. Cherries have been shown to improve many ailments including arthritis, gout, inflammation, and pain. New studies at the University of Michigan have suggested that cherries can help reduce your risk of heart disease.

Want to add more cherries to your diet? Cherries are for more than just pies and ice cream…You can add dried cherries to salads, parfaits, chicken entrees, sandwich wraps, and quiche. Or, puree cherries for sauces, sorbet, smoothies, and gelato. And, an ounce of cherry juice concentrate is just as good as any of those other “super juices” but costs a lot less!

Cherries are a way of life to us in Northern Michigan. We see them in our horizon…we eat them in our entrees and desserts…we drink them in our juices and smoothies. And we’ve come to find that our cherries are the best medicine Mother Nature can give us. You can’t be more Pure Michigan than that…