Cherries were believed to have been discovered by the Romans in Asia Minor in about 70 BC. After its discovery, it has enjoyed a long history of pleasing palates ranging from Roman emperors, Chinese noblemen, peasants, presidents and everyone in between. It is believe the Romans introduced the cherry to Britannia (modern day Britain) in the first century AD.

While there are many species of the cherry including Montmorency, Balaton, Rainer, etc., only two types of cherries are eaten: tart cherries and sweet cherries. As the name indicates the sweet cherry tastes sweeter than the tart cherry. In fact, the flavor of the cherry ranks among top flavors favorites in the world. Cherries offer a broad range of health benefits and food recipe flexible and functionality. So let's take a look at some of the fact about this tiny red fruit.

Cherry Fruit Facts:

- The average cherry tree grows enough cherries to make about 70 cherry pies.

- While several areas of the United States grows cherries, over 70% of the U.S. cherry crop is grown in Northern Western Lower Michigan. This is also known as the Traverse Bay Region of Michigan.

- The sweet cherry or dark cherry is usually used for eating and snacking. While the tart cherry is used for cooking and recipes.

- Cherries are very perishable and do not ripen after harvest. They only remain fresh in the refrigerator for only a few days are harvest.

- Cherries are a very versatile fruit and make a good additive to nearly any meal, recipe or dessert.

- The cherry bruises very easily and need to be handled with care. The best quality of the fruit is to look for the cherry with the stems still attached. Make sure the stem is not wilted. This means the fruit was recently picked and will be extremely fresh and tasty.

- The cherry has been show to offer a number of health benefits including reduce the pain of arthritis and fighting inflammation in the body. In addition, it can also reduce muscle pain and back pain.

- This ruby, red fruit is an excellent source of Melatonin. Melatonin helps to regulate the body's rhythmic patterns. No other fruit has been found which contains higher sources of natural Melatonin.

- The cherry fruit are low in fat, sodium, cholesterol and are a source of fiber and Vitamin A,C and E.

- The red fruit can reduce urate levels in the blood. Thus, helping to eliminate gout pain.

- Cherry products are available in cherry juice, canned cherries, cherry juice concentrate, fresh cherries, dried and frozen.

- Cherry nutraceuticals are also available including tart cherry powder and tart cherry capsules. Fruit Advantage offers a complete line of tart cherry products including tart cherry capsules, cherry juice and dried cherries.

- Recent research indicates tart cherry powder can help to fight inflammation in the cardiovascular region to reduce heart disease.

- Download your free copy of the 75 page Tart Cherry report at Traverse Bay Farms http://www.traversebayfarms.com

If you are looking for natural fruit to help to fight inflammation in the body, fight joint pain due to gout and arthritis, you should give the tart cherry a try.