The first Jerte Picota cherries of the season are set to hit British supermarket shelves in four weeks time, according to marketing firm Dialogue Agency.
The fruit, which is only available for six weeks of the year, is sold stalkless, indicating the fact that it is harvested when perfectly ripe.
Since the variety has PDO status, it can only be grown in the Jerte Valley in the Extremadura region west of Madrid, Spain. This is an EU regulation designed to protect the reputation of regional foods, promote agricultural activity and help producers acheive a premium price for their authentic products.
The cherries – which are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium – derive the name Picota, or ‘peaked’, from the slight peak at the base of the fruit.
