First cherries from the "Cereza del Jerte" has begun certification

The first cherries affiliated with the Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin "Cereza del Jerte", those belonging to the so-called Navalinda variety, have begun to be certified to guarantee their maximum quality. The president of the Regulatory Council, José Antonio Tierno, explains that "the campaign is expected to be good, both in volume and product quality, although there is still uncertainty about how the rainfall deficit suffered these months can affect it." "Although the cherry blossom arrived 10 or 12 days late, the campaign's development is normal because the high temperatures favor the fruit's development," Tierno adds.

The Navalinda variety is the only cherry variety with a certified stem from the Jerte Valley. After the certification of Navalinda, the certification process continues with the stalkless “Picota” cherry, unique to the Jerte Valley in Extremadura. The Picota cherry include four different varieties: Ambrunés, Pico Limón Negro, Pico Negro, and Pico Colorado, all of which are also collected under the D.O.P. 

The cherry season in the Jerte Valley, in Extremadura, Spain, lasts until the beginning of July. 

In the Valle del Jerte, cherry cultivation is carried out naturally and traditionally, and its harvest is manual, given the product's delicacy. All this work, carried out in a family-oriented way, results in the unique taste of cherries and picotas. In addition, they have a high content of vitamins A and C, trace elements such as iron or calcium, flavonoids such as potassium, and many other nutrients. Making them not only a product of great taste but also very healthy and recommended. After rigorous selection and exhaustive quality control, only the best are identified with the "Cereza del Jerte" PDO seal. In this way, the maximum quality guaranteed by the Protected Designation of Origin "Cereza del Jerte" is ensured and easily distinguishable thanks to the counter-label located on the boxes of cherries and picotas that arrive at markets from the Valle del Jerte.

Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Protegida Cereza del Jerte:

Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin "Cereza del Jerte": The Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin "Cereza del Jerte" is an entity that works to promote and certify the origin and quality of protected products. Its main objectives are to disseminate the corporate image of the Protected Designation of Origin "Cereza del Jerte" and promote the cultivation and commercialization of quality cherries.