This is so interesting, Vicki! I’ve been eating Bing cherries all my life but never bothered to look into the story of the name. Bings are actually grown in California too, but the season is short here, with the bulk of the crop--along with Rainiers--grown in Oregon and Washington. I just looked up another variety I love, Rainiers , and, as I thought, they’re named after Washington’s Mt. Rainier. They’re a cross between a Bing and another cherry variety called Van. I’ve never tried putting cherries in salads, but your recipe sounds really delicious and summer-perfect!
Thanks, Ruth. I happened to stumble across the story and found it so interesting. I've never seen the Rainiers or Vans here, but will keep a look-out, maybe they don't transport well cross country.
I'm not sure I've ever seen Vans either. The Rainiers have golden hue and look like they're blushing. I do think they bruise more easily, so that's probably why you don't find them where you are.
By the way, since you mention the difficulties that Ah Bing and other Chinese immigrants had in the mid-1800's, I can recommend a true-life family saga I really enjoyed reading by Lisa See, On Gold Mountain. It traces her history back to her great-great grandfather who came to America in 1867 and prescribed herbal remedies to laborers and eventually founded a dynasty and built a fortune. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Mountain-Lisa-See/dp/0307950395
BIG fan of cherry season, having grown up in a house with a prolific sour cherry tree. Goodness gracious, the leaking sap / ants and glorious hours climbing / eating! Tough to find sour cherries (best for pie) so every season, it's Bings that I've just eaten straight until now, thanks to you, Vicki.
Love your art / food confabulation Easel to Table more with every post. Makes me feel like a better person!
You are very sweet! I never see the sour cherries either. I remember looking a couple years ago when I wanted to make a pie. I can remember my mom using canned cherries.
Ohhhhhh, another great salad to try. As far as mosquitos, we keep any standing water dumped unless rainwater we recycle on plants. Therefore, we buy these round mosquito pellets we drop in the water which keeps mosquitos from laying eggs.
This is so interesting, Vicki! I’ve been eating Bing cherries all my life but never bothered to look into the story of the name. Bings are actually grown in California too, but the season is short here, with the bulk of the crop--along with Rainiers--grown in Oregon and Washington. I just looked up another variety I love, Rainiers , and, as I thought, they’re named after Washington’s Mt. Rainier. They’re a cross between a Bing and another cherry variety called Van. I’ve never tried putting cherries in salads, but your recipe sounds really delicious and summer-perfect!
Thanks, Ruth. I happened to stumble across the story and found it so interesting. I've never seen the Rainiers or Vans here, but will keep a look-out, maybe they don't transport well cross country.
I'm not sure I've ever seen Vans either. The Rainiers have golden hue and look like they're blushing. I do think they bruise more easily, so that's probably why you don't find them where you are.
By the way, since you mention the difficulties that Ah Bing and other Chinese immigrants had in the mid-1800's, I can recommend a true-life family saga I really enjoyed reading by Lisa See, On Gold Mountain. It traces her history back to her great-great grandfather who came to America in 1867 and prescribed herbal remedies to laborers and eventually founded a dynasty and built a fortune. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Mountain-Lisa-See/dp/0307950395
Thank you for the suggestion!
I just finished another of Lisa See’s books. I’ll definitely put On Gold Mountain on my list, Ruth.
I really enjoy her books a lot, Kate.
Luv the Bing salad! [www.facebook.com/stories/1620729971338934/UzpfSVNDOjEwNDY4OTYxMzI5NDQyNjA=/?bucket_count=9&source=story_tray]
Thanks Wayne. I can't access the link because I actually do not have FB.
Just a cool pic of Bings where I live . . . .
Lucky you!
BIG fan of cherry season, having grown up in a house with a prolific sour cherry tree. Goodness gracious, the leaking sap / ants and glorious hours climbing / eating! Tough to find sour cherries (best for pie) so every season, it's Bings that I've just eaten straight until now, thanks to you, Vicki.
Love your art / food confabulation Easel to Table more with every post. Makes me feel like a better person!
You are very sweet! I never see the sour cherries either. I remember looking a couple years ago when I wanted to make a pie. I can remember my mom using canned cherries.
Yes, that's what I've used too. Bought a case and learbed that that they do NOT last forever, LOL. Sigh.
Ohhhhhh, another great salad to try. As far as mosquitos, we keep any standing water dumped unless rainwater we recycle on plants. Therefore, we buy these round mosquito pellets we drop in the water which keeps mosquitos from laying eggs.
Thank you for the background story! This salad looks delish& refreshing, Yum!
Thanks, Peggy. Happy Fourth!
I love this story (and cherries). Thanks for sharing and for sharing your beautiful sketch.
Thank you, Bernadette.
Nice slice of history there, Vicki. And an intriguing flavor combo in that salad!
Fascinating history, Vicki!
It is quite a story. Thanks, Jolene
Thanks for a fascinating history lesson about Bing cherries and a deliciously simple recipe.
You bet! Thanks Amy.
The salad sounds wonderful! I didn’t know this about cherries! I like to make clafoutis with sweet cherries: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cherry_clafouti/
Thanks, Collette. I've never tasted clafoutis, it sounds delicious. I appreciate the link.