Eden Foods Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries, 4 oz

EDEN Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries are from organic and 'transitional to organic' orchards that are in the process of becoming certified organic while using organic methods without chemicals. Eden's cherries are grown near the east shore of northern Lake Michigan, an ideal and historic tree fruit producing area due to its seasonal lake effect. Almost a decade ago six families in this region asked Eden to help them convert their orchards to organic. These original orchards have now been managed organically for nine years and more orchards are being converted to organic each year.

Unlike most dried fruit, EDEN Dried Montmorency Tart Cherries contain no added refined sugar and we use NO sulfites, chemical preservatives or additives of any kind.

Fresh harvested cherries are cooled overnight in circulating water, then pitted and 'quick frozen'. Through this process they are inspected repeatedly, both visually and by machine. The cherries are thawed and infused by immersing them in EDEN Organic Apple Juice Concentrate that is circulated over them until they reach the right 'Brix' or sweetness. The infused cherries are rinsed, low heat dried, and then coated very lightly with a mist of EDEN Organic Safflower Oil to keep them from clumping. The low heat drying is warm air circulated until they are dry enough to become shelf stable, requiring no refrigeration. Contains 1.4 milligrams of anthocyanins (antioxidants) per 45 gram serving. A healthy, sweet and pleasantly tart snack.

A good source of potassium, low sodium and fat free, EDEN Dried Montmorency Tart Cherries promote cardiovascular health. According to the FDA, "Diets containing foods that are a good source of potassium and that are low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke." They are also a good source of fiber and beta carotene vitamin A. The FDA says, "Low fat diets rich in fruits and vegetables (foods that are low in fat and may contain dietary fiber, Vitamin A, or Vitamin C) may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors."

The Montmorency cherry is traditionally known as the 'pie cherry' and the 'healing cherry'. Where this cherry variety has been grown for generations, the locals attest to its abilities. A study at Michigan State University found the antioxidants anthocyanins and their anlyon cyanidin compounds in the pigment of the Montmorency cherry. They also found kaempferol, isoqueritrin, and quercetin. Research conducted at Brunswick Laboratories in Massachusetts and the Hollings Cancer Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina found that Montmorency cherries contain ellagic acid, a naturally occurring plant phenolic. Other compounds of note found in Montmorency cherries are perillyl alcohol and melatonin. Dr. Russell Reiter, of the University of Texas Health Science Center, said "We were surprised at how much melatonin was in cherries, specifically the Montmorency variety." According to research melatonin is a most potent antioxidant, even more so than vitamins C, E and A; it is soluble in both fat and water and can enter cells that many vitamins cannot.

Ingredients:Dried Montmorency tart cherries (pitted), organic apple juice concentrate, organic safflower oil.