The Bajan Cherry

6th October 2024

Turns out we have two trees in the garden and they are laden.

I pop one in my mouth, slightly tart but a very distinctive flavour. I am immediately transported to North Star, the house my grandfather built on the northern coast of Jamaica. I’m probably about 6 or 7. I’m sitting on a bar stool in the kitchen helping my ‘Grans’ make cherry jam. She was a great cook and I loved to help. Isn’t it amazing how the senses in all their forms trigger such powerful memories. I wonder what Grans would have thought of this crazy project. No doubt she would already be making jam for us.

So what is it like the Bajan cherry? …

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/acerola-cherry

A medium sized tree with little pink flowers which are a magnet to bees and butterflies which obviously all contribute to our ecosystem. This little nutritional powerhouse has a whooping amount of Vitamin C. One cherry has your whole day’s allowance in a juicy pop. It is also high in Vitamins A, B1, B2 and iron, phosphorous and calcium. It’s full of antioxidants … it boosts immunity and reduces inflammation.

Hmmm reduces inflammation…… We stuff our faces maybe it helps mosquito bites – it seems to do everything else!!!