"Cherries- Secret Little Rubies of Health" by R L Young What child doesn't love a cherry popsicle or cherry lollipop? Because, if it was cherry, it was a little tart, a lot sweet, and always the cheerful color red. Children love the taste of cherry. But did you know that cherries are a very grown-up fruit? They pack a whole lot of nutrition into a tiny little red gem of a fruit.We've all heard that any food containing antioxidants is filled with cell-strengthening goodness. Cherries are rich in two types of antioxidants; anthocyanidins, which bolster antioxidant defenses and; quercetin, which is believed to regulate blood pressure.Cherries are also an excellent source of potassium, vitamins A and C and an ample amount of fiber. Cherries come in two basic types - sweet and sour. The varieties of sweet cherries include Rainier, Lambert and Bing. They show up in our grocery stores in late June and by late July they are gone. Sour cherries, as their name implies are too sour to eat alone. Their varieties are Early Richmond, Morello and Montmorency. They are used in pie fillings, or frozen, dried or canned for cooking.When choosing fresh cherries avoid fruit with soft spots or bruises. Choose cherries that are plump, shiny and firm. Refrigerate cherries soon after purchase to keep them fresh. When eating - watch out for the hard pits inside. Did you know- there are approximately 7,000 cherries on a cherry tree and it takes 250 cherries to make a pie? Cherries are full of nutrition, flavor, and are fun to eat. It is no longer a secret that cherries are the secret little rubies of health.