Noir de Guben

The history of this most excellent German cherry is lost, though we do know that it came via France - thus its mixed vernacular - from Guben in the march of Brandenburg, a great center of fruit nursery activity over a century ago. In Britain it was discovered the best pollinator for the usual 'Early Rivers' cherry, but also excellent in its own right. Now with little domestic cherry production, even in Britain this worthy fruit is fast disappearing. A dark black skinned, dark fleshed Bigarreau, with rich flavor, will ripen just following 'Bing'. Mid July. On Mahaleb.