U Pick U Eat

Seeing that the berry picking season is upon us and I was itching to go out, Gaz and I took a short drive to the closest cherry orchard. As we got out of our car, we were greeted by a horde of eager tourists buzzing around the cashier area. The cost per entry to the orchard is $6 while cherries picked sell at $8 per kg, $2 cheaper than cherries that size on special in the markets. The place also packs cherries for sale, ranging from super big ones nicely arranged in cardboard boxes ideal for gifts, to medium sized ones starting from $10 per kg. There were different varieties, the sour cherries for cooking, the pale red ones which are lighter but sweeter, and the dark red cherries normally found in the markets. Their produce are sold in the centre as well as to supermarkets. Besides cherries, the orchard also grows lemons, boysenberries and blueberries.



Rows of cherry trees

Cherries on the branch

I couldn't wait to get out in the fields and start picking. I must admit to my love affair with cherries which is unfortunately short and platonic, and happens only during December and January when cherries are in season and discounts are usually available. When not in season, cherries can sell up to $19 per kg. We were ferried into the orchard by a bus provided by the place, and we were loosed into the fields. At first, I struggled to pull the stems away from the branch. Each time I pull, the motion swings the branches and ripe cherries (yum!) drop off the branches onto the ground which seemed like a waste of good cherries. After a while, I got the hang of it, twisting the stems till they detach from the branch. While picking, Gaz and I stuffed cherries into our mouths, dripping purple juices down our mouths and shirts. The cherries were very juicy and sweet.

A variety of cherries - the pale red ones which are sweeter

We picked for about an hour and could have picked more but as we went quite late, the orchard was approaching closing time and we had to get onto the last bus back to the centre. It was a terrific experience, and I would probably go back a couple of times, only during cloudy weather!

Our haul

Raspberries

Raspberries up close