Cherries are exceptionally early this year. Where the first cherries are normally picked at the end of July, there are already plenty of Mierlose black cherries being sold. “In recent years it has been a little earlier and this year,” says cherry player Jos Huijbers
On his site, Huijbers points to a row of trees where the first cherries are already picked. “Here we have to take the blacks away. They are not yet ripe and not yet tasty enough. Everything is ready above that. That is because this row gets a lot of light. They are ready to be picked and that is extremely early.”
The early harvest is mainly due to the sunny spring. “They have had a lot of sunlight and that is why the Kersten are extra sweet this year.”
The grower emphasizes that he must take extra protective measures. “Plastic protects the cherries against birds and rain. Because when it rains and those cherries hang wet for days, they open. Then it becomes cherry juice.” He also uses mesh to keep the dreaded Suzuki fruit fly away.
The Mierlose Zwarte is an old and loved breed in the region. Everyone wants them for the so -called cherry jersey. “They are super, but on the pancakes they are even better. If you have ever had that, you don’t want anything else anymore.”
Huijbers now has 900 trees with Mierlose Black. “Over the years we have started planting it more and more.” According to him, the black cherries can stay on the tree for a long time. “They are getting bigger and sweeter.”
His wife Lidy already noticed that people were getting impatient. “People have been calling for weeks or are they coming into the store to ask:” Are they already there? ” They are extremely early this year, so it surprised me that people have been walking the door here for weeks. ”
The Mierlose Black is a native breed. “They stay on the trees for extra long.” They are fairly soft cherries who, once picked, are not long -lasting. “But usually they are finished before they can spoil.”
They can still pick up next four weeks. Then it’s time for other cherry varieties.