Difference between Picota and Cherry
In some cities of Spain it is relatively common to confuse cherries with picotas. In fact, many people use these names as synonyms even though these fruits are different. Other people, knowing the value of the pillory, make cherries pass for pillory. In any case, it is good to know the difference between these two very similar fruits. It is worth mentioning that in Latin America, the term picota is not known or used, since this Spanish fruit is not even uncommon to find.
Cherry |
Pillory |
|
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Cherries are the fruits of various trees in the genus Prunus . It is a small round fruit, rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as calcium, iron and potassium. The tree that bears cherries is known as cherry or guindo. Hence, in some places these small fruits are also known as sour cherries. | As for the picotas, these are a type of cherry; so it can be said that all cherry trees are cherries but not all cherries are cherry trees. They are also known as “Jerte cherries”. |
| most important feature | Cherries always have a stem, that is, they are sold with the twig from which they hang on the tree, still integrated into the fruit. In case of removing it, the cherry begins to lose liquid immediately. It is recommended not to buy cherries without stems, as they may be dry or have fungus inside. | The pillory, on the other hand, does not have a rabito (the small branch from which the cherries hang). When collecting them they lose it easily and heal almost immediately. They do not lose liquid and there is no risk of fungi entering. In addition, their bones are proportionally larger than those of cherries, so they have less meat than these. |
| Colour | Cherries are found in various colors: from dull yellow to black. However, the most popular are the bright red, deep red cherries. | They are burnt red. That is, they are an intense red but darker than that of cherries. |
| Flavor | In terms of flavour, cherries are usually rather tart and even sour and sweet. This changes depending on the maturity of the fruit, however it does not become predominantly sweet. | Picotas, on the other hand, are of better quality than regular cherries. They are richer in flavor; they are sweeter and less acidic. |
| Size | Cherries are small fruits: about 2 centimeters in diameter. | Picotas, on the other hand, are smaller fruits than common cherries. |
| harvest season | Its season begins, at least in Spain, in the last days of spring. It is for this reason that they are considered the representative fruit of summer in that country. This tree prefers warm climates. | The pillory season, on the other hand, starts later; in late June or early July. |
| cost | Its price in season is usually accessible, in Spain, at least, that’s how it is. However, in some other places it tends to increase because they are not easily found. | Picotas are actually more expensive than cherries. This is because they can only be grown in the Jerte Valley, which makes their production less than that of common cherries. |
| Where do they originate and where are they produced? | The evidence shows that the first cherries were found in the area that includes the territory between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The leading cherry producing countries are currently Turkey, the United States, Iran, Italy and Spain. | Instead, the picotas are originally from Extremadura in Spain. Being more specific, this fruit grows in the Jerte Valley area. In fact, because they are only found in the Jerte Valley, the picotas are protected with the Denomination of Origin. |
