Description
The Cereza del Jerte PDO is a cherry from the Prunus avium L. species, belonging to the Navalinda family, characterized by the presence of the stem, and belonging to Ambrunés, Pico Limón Negro, Pico Negro and Pico Colorado varieties, called Picotas, which, on the contrary, are characterized by the detachment of the stem when harvested.
Production Area
The production area of Cereza del Jerte PDO is situated in the mountain valleys of Jerte, Ambroz and de La Vera, in the northern side of Cáceres district, in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura.
Production Method
This product is cultivated on terraces located on mountains slopes. The plants are slightly loped, fertilized with manure and harvested by hand in chestnut baskets, keeping high attention not to compromise the fruit quality. The selection of cherries is made immediately after harvesting.
Appearance and Flavour
The Cereza del Jerte PDO is characterized by crunchy and succulent flesh; it can be in different colours, with red flesh and red juice or with yellowish or creamy flesh and colourless juice. The shape can be flattened, reniform, and long or round. The size of the stone varies depending on varieties: it can be mediumbig, very big or with a spherical-long shape.
History
The origins of Cereza del Jerte PDO go back to the Arabian epoch, but, in reality, documents confirming its existence were not found until the 14th century. The region of Jerte is famous due to the blooming of cherry trees in spring which is described as an unforgettable visual show with more than 2.000.000 trees in flower which paint the valley in white.
Gastronomy
The Cereza del Jerte PDO must be stored in dry and fresh rooms. During summer, it must be stored in the refrigerator for some days, eliminating the damaged fruits. The product is eaten fresh in spring and summer, but it is also used to prepare desserts and conserves. This very sweet fruit, is ideal as main ingredient to prepare a wide array of desserts, jams and cakes. It can be used to prepare innovative bitter-sweet dishes, for example, antipasto combined with salty sauces, to accompany meat dishes.
Marketing
The product is sold as Cereza del Jerte PDO belonging to the product class Extra. Before selling, the cherries are selected and measured, put into new and clean cardboard boxes to be transported to the markets.
Distinctive Features
The climate, the grounds, the unpolluted microclimate, but and above all the impossibility to mechanize the most part of the work in the terraces have given to the Cereza del Jerte PDO its high quality.
