What is the difference between cherries and sweet cherries?
Jan 09, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, cherries and sweet cherries (cherimoya) differ in appearance, taste, nutritional value, blood-nourishing effects, and dietary禁忌 (contraindications). Although cherries are generally safe for most people to consume, individuals who are prone to diarrhea should eat them sparingly or avoid them due to their high fiber and fructose content. Additionally, cherry pits contain cyanogenic glycosides, so it is advisable to avoid chewing the pits.
Generally speaking, cherries and sweet cherries (cherries imported from certain regions, often called "Cherries" in Chinese) differ in appearance, taste, nutritional value, blood-nourishing effects, dietary taboos, and other aspects. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Appearance: Sweet cherries have a dark red-colored peel, are relatively larger in size, and have fine, juicy flesh. Cherries have a redder and more vibrant peel, usually red or light red, are smaller in size, and have thin skin with crisp, tender flesh.
2. Taste: Sweet cherries have dense flesh with a sweet flavor and almost no sourness. Cherries have slightly firmer flesh with a sweet yet slightly tart flavor, offering a unique taste.
3. Nutritional Value: Cherries are rich in iron, which can help alleviate anemia. Although sweet cherries contain relatively less iron, they are abundant in polyphenol antioxidants such as anthocyanins, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which can combat cellular damage and reduce inflammation.
5. Dietary Taboos: Cherries are considered warm in nature and excessive consumption may cause heatiness symptoms such as sore throat and mouth ulcers. Additionally, cherry pits contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can produce hydrogen cyanide after hydrolysis, so chewing the pits should be avoided to prevent poisoning.
Sweet cherries are generally suitable for most people, however, due to their high dietary fiber and fructose content, individuals prone to diarrhea should consume them sparingly or avoid them altogether. Moreover, sweet cherry pits also contain cyanogenic glycosides, so chewing the pits should be avoided.
