Sweet cherry, Prunus avium, is the dark red, juicy cherry of summer fruit markets. In India almost all cherries come from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, ripening in a short season in May and June. It is a fruit to enjoy fresh. The pits contain amygdalin and should not be cracked or swallowed in quantity.
- Botanical name
- Prunus avium (L.) L.
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Tamil
- Cherry
- Hindi
- Cherry
- Parts used
- Ripe fruit
- Habit
- Sweet cherry; English cherry is a shop word
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Sweet cherry
It is a tall deciduous tree with smooth, reddish-brown bark that peels in horizontal bands.
The leaves are large, oval, toothed and drooping, with two small glands on the leaf stalk.
White flowers appear in clusters in spring.
The fruit is a round, glossy, long-stalked drupe, dark red to yellow, sweet and juicy. Sour cherry, Prunus cerasus, has shorter stalks and tart fruit.
Cherry wood is reddish and fine-grained, prized for furniture and smoking food.
Traditional use of Sweet cherry
Kashmiri orchards
Kashmir’s cherry varieties, such as Mishri and Makhmali, are harvested in early summer and sent across India.
Kashmiri horticulture
European kitchen
Sweet cherries are eaten fresh and used in clafoutis, cakes and kirsch.
European food practice
Modern notes on Sweet cherry
Cherries are rich in anthocyanins and vitamin C.
Rain at harvest makes the fruit crack, a major problem for growers.
Sweet cherry safety
Do not chew or swallow large numbers of pits.
Ecology and sourcing
It is native to Europe and western Asia, where wild cherries grow in woodland.
It needs cold winters and cool springs, so it is limited to the Himalayan states in India.
Birds love cherries, which is reflected in the name avium, “of the birds”.
Most sweet cherries need a second variety nearby for pollination, so orchards mix varieties.
Related plants
Also in Rosaceae
Questions about Sweet cherry
Where do Indian cherries come from?
Mainly Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand.
When are they in season?
In May and June.
Is Sweet cherry a sour cherry?
No. Sour cherry is Prunus cerasus.
How should I store cherries?
Cold and dry, unwashed until you eat them; they spoil quickly.
Sources
- Prunus avium (L.) L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q165137 (Prunus avium)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.