Задание №10 — Чтение

Cherries look beautiful. They are small fruits, generally averaging 2 to 4 centimeters in diameter. Cherries have a round or an oval shape and are attached to brown stems. The fruit’s surface is smooth and glossy, ranging in colour from solid shades of bright red or dark red, almost black, to red-yellow, orange, ruby, and crimson tones. Underneath the surface, the flesh can be firm or soft, depending on the variety, and is typically pink or red. Cherries have small stones which you need to take out before cooking or eating the fruit.

Cherries are a rich source of anthocyanins – coloured pigments found within their skin and flesh that have antioxidant-like properties to reduce inflammation and protect the cells against free radical damage. The fruits also contain vitamins A and C to boost the immune system and promote healthy organ functioning, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, some iron to build hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, and calcium to strengthen bones and teeth.

In Japan, there are several varieties of cherry trees that are highly favoured for their flowers, even though they don’t bear fruit. These cherry blossoms, known as Sakura in Japanese, are the country’s national flower which is celebrated during the annual Hanami Festival. The event was first established during the Nara Period to celebrate renewal, life, and natural beauty. Nowadays, the festival is traditionally held in the spring, and visitors flock to the blooming trees to take photos or capture the blossom’s beauty in artwork.

Cherries were first cultivated around 4000 BC in China. Cherries were also wildly grown and consumed in Ancient Greece and Rome, with the first written account recorded by the Greek author Theophrastus in his book, The History of Plants, published in 300 BC. In Ancient Rome, cherries were consumed by Roman soldiers, and the pits were discarded along roads and camps, leading to Cherry trees being scattered across Europe. Commercial cherries were developed in Europe only in the 15^th century.

Irrigation, spraying, labour and their tendency to damage from rain and hail make cherries expensive, but the fruit is still high in demand. The peak season for cherries is the summer months. In many parts of North America, they’re among the first tree fruits to ripen, while in Australia and New Zealand cherries are widely associated with Christmas because they peak in late December. In the USA, most sweet cherries are grown in Washington and California, whereas sour cherries are grown in Michigan, New York, Utah and Washington.

Get your hands on some fresh cherries during the summer and make jams and jellies that you can enjoy all year long. Still, the healthiest way to keep cherries fresh is in plain water. Cherries are sweet enough, so you don’t need extra sugar. Start by washing the cherries and pitting them. You don’t have to pit them before jarring, but it makes them easier to eat later. Keep tapping the jar on the counter to remove air bubbles. Then, add the rest of your water. Before putting the lid on, make sure the cherries are completely covered, and tap the jar a few more times.

There are a lot of interesting idioms and expressions with the word ‘cherry’ in the English language. For instance, a person who is a novice or a newcomer is often referred to as a cherry in modern English. If somebody is really embarrassed about something, they may get as red as a cherry. If you are given a chance or an opportunity to do something, you get a bite at the cherry. If you are happy with your life at the moment, you can say your life is like a bowl of cherries. It’s certainly fun to know such things.