One of the most exotic fruits on earth, cherries have been in every one’s fruit list since forever. While you must have eaten the regular ones, have you ever tried rare but succulent and sweet tart cornelian cherries? The sunny yellow flowers of the cornelian cherry with the plant bearing cute little red fruits have made their way into everyone's heart since antiquity. A unique and attractive plant of Dogwood family, cornelian cherry is a shrub which looks like a small tree. Also called cornels, they are not really cherries. They are known for their ornamental value besides providing a perfectly sweet and delightful taste. Cornelian is scientifically known as cornaceae. This fruit is also popularly called European cornel since it is native to southern Europe and black sea region but can be abundantly also found in France, Armenia, Ukraine, and certain parts of Asia. The cherry can also thrive in parts of Siberia. Since ancient times, extracts of this has been a part of several syrups, puddings, drinks and confectionery items.
History Of The Cornelian Plant
The cornelian plant is usually medium sized shrub with a glossy, juicy fruit that is dark red and gives an appealing sweet tangy flavour besides being very aromatic. These deep red oblong-shaped cherries besides being edible in several ways, are loaded with medicinal properties, floral sweetness, fabulous aroma and tangy taste. Not many were aware that this fruit had bounteous medicinal qualities (as it is high in Vitamin C), until in the first century, when this red fruit came into notice for being pickled like olives and limes or squashed into tangy jellies and sweet jams. Being a good source of Vitamins A, B, C and E, it also contains ingredients like thiamine and significant amounts of riboflavin.
Culinary Benefits Of Cornelian Cherries
Just like any cherries that we love to binge on in every way we can, cornelian cherries can be relished raw, in dried form, used in preserves and even added into several kinds of wine and liqueur, sherbets and marmalades. In Russia, the cherries are even added to vodka, fused into black teas.
Also Read: Goji Berries: Bounteous Health Benefits Of This Bright Red Tiny Fruit
Health Benefits Of Cornelian Cherries
Red, bright cornelian cherries are laden with medical properties and nutrients. They provide the following health benefits:
- This fruit is laden with amazing astringent properties which help to cure excessive bleeding in the body
- Cornelian cherries help in reducing high-grade fever and bring down the body temperature rapidly
- The bark decoction helps restore the lost nutrients of the body and restores lost energy levels due to nutritional deficiencies
- The astringent and digestive qualities in this fruit help to cure irritable bowel syndrome and heal severe digestive issues
- The flowers of cornelian cherry are used in the treatment of dysentery and sudden severe diarrhoea
- Cornelian extracts are also used to soothe aching lower back and reduce knee pains
- The extracts have been used since ages to cure tinnitus and ear infections
- Cornelian cherry juice has also been effective in healing liver ailments
- It also cures hot flashes, menstrual disorders and sudden abdominal cramping
With a long and fabulous culinary history, there are more than many ways that one can eat or make recipes out of cornelian cherries. While you are wondering how it can be done, we bring you a simple yet delicious and nutritious smoothie recipe.
Cornelian Smoothie
Ingredients:
200 grams fresh or dried cornelian cherries
1 medium orange
1/2 spoon of cinnamon powder
200 ml skimmed milk or almond milk
1 spoon of fruit or normal yogurt
Method
Boil the cornelian cherries for about 20 minutes
Let them cool down
Squeeze the orange and deseed and keep for refrigeration
Put milk and half spoon of fruit yogurt into the blender
Create a mixture by mixing the ingredients until they are caramelized
Remove the freshly squeezed orange from the fridge, blend it and keep it aside
Deseed the cooled cornelian cherries and add it to the blender
Add cinnamon powder and blend again
Shift it to a jug, add ice cubes and garnish it with sliced cornelian cherries or any other berry
Delicious cornelian cherry smoothie recipe is ready to serve
Nutrition
The smoothie is loaded with all essential vitamins which are present in the cornelian cherries. All these fill up the Vitamin requirement and strengthen the immunity. The presence of Vitamin C aids skin health and provides glow and shine thus keeping even the innermost layers of skin healthy.
