New Zealand is home to some of the best cherries in the world. The cherry season begins in late November, and if you live in New Zealand, you won't want to miss out on these delicious fruits that are essential for gatherings everywhere.

The best cherries in New Zealand come from two places: Napier on the North Island and Central Otago near Queenstown on the South Island. While the Napier area has less production and usually sells out around December, the production near Queenstown is very large.

Cherry-picking activities are held every year because if the cherries are not picked, they will rot on the trees.

The cherries from Central Otago are particularly sought-after. This region has the largest cherry orchard coverage area in New Zealand and is the most important and world-renowned cherry-growing area in the country.

The climate in Central Otago is excellent for growing cherries, with the distance from the sea and the rainforest belt in the Southern Alps creating a dry climate with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 30C. The cherry season in Central Otago runs from December to February in the summer.

The cherries from Central Otago are big, sweet and grow to maturity naturally, unlike those transported to supermarkets to ripen in advance. They are a delicacy that cannot be missed. The cherries on each tree are mouth-watering, with black and red skin and a sweet and juicy taste synonymous with New Zealand cherries.

In addition to the delicate New Zealand red cherries, there are also precious white cherries. New Zealand white cherries are the most popular in overseas markets because they are large and sweet. However, the most attractive ones are all exported and cannot be bought locally in New Zealand.

In the Japanese market, the white cherries produced in New Zealand are not sold by kilograms or boxes, but by the number, which shows their preciousness and popularity.

There are several different "small varieties" of white cherries in New Zealand, of which the variety used for export is basically "Rainier." This breed has a history of more than 60 years, first researched by Harold Fogle of the University of Washington in the United States in 1952, and named after Mount Rainier.

It is a cross between the famous cherry varieties Bing and Van, with thin skin, a large size, a sweet taste, plump flesh, and a smooth mouthfeel.

After Rainier cherries were introduced into New Zealand, they developed a unique New Zealand cherry quality under the unique natural conditions of the Otago region of the South Island.

The Otago region has high latitudes, abundant soil nutrients, strong sunshine, and a large temperature difference between day and night. Coupled with the careful and scientific cultivation of generations of farmers, New Zealand's white cherries are world-renowned.

Cherries are not only delicious but also beneficial to health. Eating cherries regularly can make the skin smoother and more moisturized, mainly because cherries are extremely rich in iron. The content of iron in one hundred grams of pulp is six times that of strawberries, ten times that of jujubes, thirteen times that of hawthorns, and twenty times that of apples of the same weight, ranking first among various fruits.

Therefore, cherries are also known as "beauty fruit." For office workers who have been working on computers for a long time, cherries also have an important function: eating cherries can relieve computer syndrome, which is a common disease in the office with back pain and dry eyes.

It should be noted that cherries are high in sugar, so people with diabetes, patients with inflammation or febrile diseases, and people with a cough should not eat them, otherwise, it will easily aggravate the disease.

In addition, cherries contain a certain amount of "cyanide". Excessive consumption at one time may cause a slightly moderate level of cyanide, so you should pay attention to the appropriate amount of cherries.

Overall, New Zealand cherries are a delicious and healthy fruit that should not be missed. Whether you're a local or a tourist, a visit to a cherry orchard in Napier or Central Otago is a must-do activity during the cherry season.

From the unique climate and soil of the Otago region to the careful cultivation of generations of farmers, the cherries grown in New Zealand have a distinct quality and flavor that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. So why not indulge in some fresh and juicy New Zealand cherries the next time you have the chance?