The cherry is a small fruit with a stony seed at the center of a fleshy pulp. There are many species of cherry, some which are eaten plain, others which are pickled and turned into garnish, like maraschino cherries, and others which are dried. Cherries range in color from yellow to dark purple, some even achieving a near black coloration; although, "cherry red" is the color most commonly associated with the fruit.

Wild cherries had been a common food source for mankind for millenia. Several species of wild cherries are native to Europe and areas of Asia Minor.The first record of cultivating cherries is attributed to the Romans in the first century B.C.http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cherry-fruit-facts.html Thereafter, cherry cultivation slowly spread throughout the Roman Empire.

Modern day cherry cultivation produces over 2 million metric tons of cherries per year. Turkey leads the world in cherry production, accounting for over 19% of the worldwide cherry production.http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567#ancor Cherry cultivation in the United States accounts for 15% of worldwide production.http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=567#ancor

The most common variations of cherries cultivated are the Preunus avium, commonly known as a wild cherry or sweet cherry; and the Prunus cerasus, commonly known as a sour cherry.

The most commonly cultivated varieties of cherries are naturally high in vitamin C and iron content. Each 100 gram serving of cherries contains 12% of the vitamin C requirement and 2% of the iron requirement for the average adult as stipulated by the USDA.http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-cherries-sweet-i9070

Cherries also contain a high level of melatonin. They are often attributed with having antioxidant properties and are viewed as being effective in removing toxins from the body.http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cherry-fruit-facts.html

Cherries are commonly consumed in their raw form, as well as incorporated into dessert recipes. Cherries are also marketed as dry fruits and as preserves. Cherry juice is also produced and is popularly marketed as both a natural fruit beverage and in holistic medicine circles as an anti-inflammatory agent and pain reliver.http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cherry-fruit-facts.html