Guojiazhuang Cherries

Guojiazhuang Cherries

　　Guojiazhuang Village in Zhuangtou Township, Chengcheng County, located 3 kilometers north of the county seat, is traversed by the Chengzha Highway and is a prime location for fruit production. In 2001, over 10 varieties including Pioneer, Lapins, Red Lantern, Jasmine, and others were introduced from the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute. With 3,000 acres planted, the cherries typically ripen around May 10. New and returning merchants are welcome to place orders.

Cherries are hailed as “treasures among fruits” and the “crown of fruits” due to their vibrant color, crystal-clear appearance, sweet and delicious taste, and high nutritional value. Studies indicate that cherries have the highest iron content among fruits—20 to 30 times higher than apples and pears—and their vitamin A content is 4 to 5 times that of apples and grapes. They also contain protein, sugar, phosphorus, carotene, and vitamin C. Cherries not only offer cosmetic benefits but also provide therapeutic and health-promoting effects, such as aiding spleen-related diarrhea, invigorating the middle energizer and replenishing qi, dispelling wind and eliminating dampness, as well as relieving kidney deficiency–related back and leg pain and limited mobility. Originally native to western Asia and southeastern Europe, cherries are categorized by color into three types: purple, red, and yellow. Based on ripening time, they are divided into early, mid, and late varieties. The early varieties usually ripen and are harvested for market in mid to late May each year. This period falls at the end of spring and beginning of summer when pests have not yet become active, eliminating the need for pesticide spraying and ensuring the cherries are genuinely pollution-free, making them true green food.