Corona and the cherries: a heavy harvest
The Corona crisis has affected our lives and our work. And in agriculture, it’s no different. An industry that has already faced many challenges is now also having to contend with the effects of the pandemic.
This year it is particularly difficult for farmers to harvest their crop. The cherries are ripe, but there aren’t enough workers to pick them. Many workers who normally travel to countries in Europe to work in agriculture have not come due to travel restrictions and border closures. It is a hard time for farmers and their families.
The problem impacts the entire supply chain: if not harvested, cherries rot on the branches and prices drop, further decimating farmers’ incomes. It’s a vicious cycle that’s hard to break out of.
This crisis once again shows how important it is that we all work together and take care of our agricultural system. It’s in all of our interests that farmers and their families receive fair pay for their hard work, especially in these difficult times. If we want to mitigate the impact of Corona, we all need to pull together.
The cherries may be ripe, but harvesting them is difficult.
Why cherries are important in the diet
Cherries are not only juicy and delicious, but also extremely healthy. As a fruit, they contain naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that are important for a balanced diet. Vitamin C and folic acid in particular are found in sufficient quantities in cherries.
In addition, cherries also contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals. Anthocyanins also improve circulation and can help reduce inflammation in the body.
For example, eating cherries can play a crucial role in supporting the immune system, which is incredibly important today. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have begun to rethink their diets, and cherries are the perfect example of a healthy and nutritious fruit.
There are many different types of cherries, each with its own merits. Whether it’s sour or sweet cherries, everyone can benefit from the health benefits of cherries. So why not pick some cherries in the summer and enjoy them?
How does the Corona crisis affect the cherry harvest?
The cherry harvest is an important source of income for many farmers in Germany. But this year is a different story due to the Corona crisis. Restrictions and border closures have had a negative impact on the harvest.
A large percentage of the harvest workers come from Eastern Europe. Due to border closures, many were unable to enter the country, resulting in a labor shortage. Many farmers had to abandon their crops or could not harvest their cherries in time.
The Corona crisis has also led to a decline in demand for cherries. Many restaurants and cafes were closed during the lockdown, leading to a decline in the sales market. In addition, many consumers have opted for cheaper alternatives due to economic uncertainty and loss of income.
Overall, the Corona crisis has caused the cherry harvest to be greatly affected this year. Many farmers faced losses and had difficulty selling their cherries. The effects will be felt for a long time.
Tips for buying and storing cherries during Corona season
Cherry season is beginning and despite the current circumstances, we can still enjoy fresh and delicious cherries. However, when buying, we should make sure that the cherries come from the region and have not undergone unnecessary transports. This way we can also support the local economy.
It is also important to pay attention to the quality of the cherries. Make sure the fruit is plump and shiny and shows no signs of spoilage or mold. Also trust your intuition – if something is not right, better reach for another basket.
When you bring your cherries home, don’t put them directly in the refrigerator. It’s better to store them at room temperature first to preserve the flavor and freshness. If you want to store them in the refrigerator, place them in a well-ventilated bowl or open container to prevent mold growth.
- Make sure there are no damaged or rotten cherries in the basket.
- Store fresh cherries at room temperature.
- If you store cherries in the refrigerator, use a ventilated bowl or an open container.
With these tips, you can make sure you enjoy fresh and delicious cherries during Corona time. Remember that a healthy and balanced diet is also important during this time to boost your immune system.
Delicious recipe ideas using ripe cherries during the Corona pandemic
The Corona pandemic has had an extreme impact on daily life. However, with the cherry harvest in summer, we are in for a delicious change of pace. Whether used as a pie, jam or smoothie, ripe cherries are versatile and provide a fresh kick in the kitchen.
A quick and simple recipe for hot days is the cherry smoothie. For this, simply put a handful of pitted cherries, 100 ml of buttermilk, a pinch of cinnamon and a few ice cubes in the blender and puree it. Ready is a refreshing and satisfying beverage – perfect for a break in between.
If you like it a bit more substantial, you can prepare a cherry-quark cake. For the dough you need 300 g flour, 200 g sugar, 150 g butter and 1 egg. Knead the ingredients into a shortcrust pastry and place it in a greased springform pan. For the topping, spread 1 kg of pitted cherries on the dough. In a bowl, mix 500 g of curd cheese, 4 eggs, 200 g of sugar, 1 packet of vanilla sugar, 70 g of semolina and the juice of a lemon. Pour this mixture over the cherries and bake the cake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 60 minutes. A cherry-quark cake is a sweet treat that goes well as a dessert or with coffee.
- Cherry Smoothie
- Ingredients:
- Handful of pitted cherries
- 100 ml buttermilk
- Pinch of cinnamon
- ice cubes
- Put the ingredients in a blender and puree them
- 300 g flour
- 200 g sugar
- 150 g butter
- 1 egg
- 1 kg pitted cherries
- 500 g curd
- 4 eggs
- 200 g sugar
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 70 g semolina
- juice of one lemon
- Knead shortcrust pastry from flour, sugar, butter and egg and put it in a greased springform pan
- Spread cherries on the dough
- Mix the quark, eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, semolina and lemon juice and pour over the cherries
- Bake the cake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 60 minutes
These two recipes are just two examples of the wealth of possibilities offered by ripe cherries. Especially in the Corona period, it is important to occupy oneself with positive moments and to treat oneself to something good every now and then. With delicious food this is guaranteed to succeed!
Conclusion
The Corona pandemic has presented us all with new challenges. Agriculture also had to adapt quickly to the changed conditions. So suddenly the focus was on harvest workers and the question of harvest security. Here, many farmers and initiatives reacted quickly and looked for solutions.
One example is the “Corona” initiative! The cherries are ripe!”. Here, people who had to cancel their vacations due to the pandemic were able to work as harvesters on the cherry orchards. This idea was a great success and showed that even in difficult times it is possible to work together and find solutions together.
Also in the future it will be important to stay flexible and adapt to changes. It is to be hoped that we will soon be able to return to a certain normality and that in the future enough young people will be found who want to work in agriculture.
- Conclusion:
- The Corona pandemic has presented challenges for all of us.
- Farmers and initiatives have reacted quickly and found solutions, such as the “Corona” initiative! The cherries are ripe!”.
- Collaboration and flexibility will continue to be important in the future.
- It is to be hoped that enough young people will want to work in agriculture.