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Spring is already starting to show in our orchard, where we grow cherry crops for industrial use. After the rains of recent weeks, our cherry trees — spread over an area of 120 hectares — have begun to blossom, marking the start of a new season that we face with great excitement.
In this post, we share some highlights about the history of cherries in the Calatayud region, their health benefits, and their different phenological stages.
Table of Contents
Cherry Crops Tradition in the Calatayud Region
The Calatayud region, where Conservas Lazaya is located, has a long-standing tradition of cherry cultivation. Since the 15th century, this fruit has been recognized in the area for its exceptional quality and flavor. Today, together with the Aranda region, it forms one of the main cherry-producing areas in Spain, with over 3,000 hectares cultivated across 20 municipalities and an annual harvest exceeding 20 million kilos.
The unique climatic and orographic conditions of the region, characterized by its altitude and continental climate, favor the production of cherries with a larger size, optimal sugar levels, and firmness that makes them ideal for both fresh consumption and industrial use.
Own cherry crops for greater control over the final product
At Lazaya Preserved Fruits, we take care of every detail from the very beginning. We are committed to responsible farming, and having direct control over our cherry crops allows us to guarantee the quality and traceability of the product from the field to its transformation into candied or syruped fruit.
On our farm, we mainly grow two cherry varieties:
- Blanca de Provenza, which we use fresh for the preparation of cherries in light syrup.
- Rainier, which we process as candied cherries after stabilization in brine.
Health Benefits of Eating Cherries
Cherries are a fruit known for their multiple health benefits. They are rich in fiber, low in calories, and provide natural compounds that can help prevent serious diseases. Here are some of their most notable benefits:
- Protection against Alzheimer’s: Flavonoids and procyanidins help protect neurons, reducing oxidative stress and slowing the onset of dementia.
- Cancer prevention: Due to their fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins, cherries have anticancer properties. Additionally, cyanidin and quercetin help combat free radicals.
- Reduction of hypertension and stroke risk: Their high potassium content helps regulate blood pressure. Sweet cherries provide more potassium than other common fruits like strawberries or apples.
- Cardiovascular disease prevention: Anthocyanins also help reduce inflammation, arterial plaque, and nitric oxide, promoting heart health. Quercetin also has protective effects on the cardiovascular system.
- Diabetes control: Anthocyanins may improve glucose tolerance and reduce insulin resistance. Moreover, cherries have a low glycemic index (GI 22), much lower than other fruits like plums, grapes, or apricots.
- Inflammation reduction: The phytochemicals in cherries help inhibit enzymes that cause inflammation, being helpful for people with arthritis or muscle injuries.
- Improved sleep and reduced jet lag: Cherries contain melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep cycle, helping with better rest and adjustment to time zone changes.
Phenological Stages of Cherry Crops Development
The development of cherry trees is divided into several well-defined phenological stages, allowing our technicians to monitor crop progress and make key agronomic decisions at each stage:
- Blooming (Stages F-G) – 7 to 10 days: Flower buds open and petals appear, attracting pollinators. Recent rains have supported good floral development, essential for proper fertilization.
- Fruit set (Stage H) – 10 to 14 days: After pollination, fruit set begins as fertilized ovules start turning into small fruits. During this phase, monitoring for frost or water stress is critical.
- Fruit growth (Stages I-J) – 20 to 30 days: Fruits increase in size and begin to accumulate sugars. Much of the size and quality is defined here. In our industrial varieties, we aim for balanced ripening to ensure good firmness and soluble solids content.
- Ripening (Stage K) – 7 to 10 days: Color and texture fully develop. For Blanca de Provenza, we look for a light tone, while in Rainier, we monitor the ideal time for brine stabilization.
- Harvest – Varies depending on variety and weather conditions: The cycle ends with harvesting, which we do gradually to respect the optimal ripening point of each variety.
In the coming months, our teams will work to ensure that the industrial cherries we harvest meet the standards required by our clients in the pastry, horeca, and food industry sectors. We will continue sharing the campaign’s progress from the field. Contact us for further information or follow us so you don’t miss a thing!
