Cherry laurel

Prunus laurocerasus

fruit

Small glossy black cherries, sweet and slightly astringent, eaten fresh, dried or as jam on the Turkish Black Sea coast (karayemiş).

Origin

Black Sea coasts (Turkey, Georgia) and the Balkans

Season (United States)

August to September

Preparation

Only the flesh of fully black fruits: the leaves, seeds and green fruits contain a poison (cyanide); never bite into the pit.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Pectins · Anthocyanins · Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

In western Europe it is mostly a garden hedge: few people know its ripe fruits are eaten elsewhere.