Francine L'Heureux to conquer the unknown fruit

Coming from an agricultural background and having worked in the professional field after obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Francine was inspired to join the ranks of horticultural producer in her farm space in Granby. And now the project of La Camerisière Granbyenne is taking off, with its 8000 camerisier plants in 2014. For the founder, the earth is definitely a source of life, offering healthy and nutritious food.>>>

The cherry picked from more than 11,000 plants at Petits fruits du clocher, in Sainte-Cécile-de-Milton, is sold in the freezers of the grocery store Avril Supermarché Santé. Since the production has been good and protected from the American Waxwing by nets, the family business wishes to open its distribution in other stores, says Erica Kohl-Bradley, co-owner with her husband, Manuel, and her father-in-law, Serge Gosselin. They fill the need by buying cherries from local growers.

« We knew [la commercialisation en frais] was coming. We are happy that the fruit is becoming known throughout Quebec, » says Mrs. Kohl-Bradley. We do public markets in Granby and elsewhere and we have noticed a good difference in interest since last year. People heard about it in the media and at the Dragons (on the show Dans l’oeil du dragon, Editor’s note). There are many who have heard the name and now want to try it. Usually, they are pleasantly surprised. »

Several varieties of cameris have been developed over the years to make the fruit even more interesting to the taste. Initially, this one was rather bitter and acidic and was only suitable for processing. These plants were pulled out by the family farm. Now the varieties offer a sweet fruit that ranges in taste from blueberry to raspberry to strawberry and more.

Hard to break through

Francine L’Heureux, owner of La Camerisière in Granby, was surprised to learn that fresh cherries were entering the food market. « I’m working in a small cell, struggling through the holy water to get it in. […] There’s room for the camerise, but at the same time I realize that on my own I won’t make it, » she drops. However, Ms. L’Heureux says she is pleased with the news.>>>

CHERRY MUFFINS

2 eggs
½ cup apple juice (125 ml)
¼ cup organic cane sugar (65 ml)
¼ cup canola oil (65 mL)
½ cup of cherry spread (125 ml)
1 c. teaspoon of maple essence (3 ml)
1 cup unbleached white flour (250ml)
½ cup rolled oats (125 mL)
1 c. tablespoon baking powder (15 mL)
¼ of c. teaspoon of salt (1 ml)
1/3 cup chopped almond nuts (85 mL)

Preparation: Preheat oven to⁴⁰⁰⁰ F (²⁰⁰⁰ C). Beat eggs, apple juice, oil, sugar and maple syrup. Combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt. Mix all the ingredients together perfectly and add the chopped nuts.

Pour into muffin tins and bake at⁴⁰⁰⁰ F (²⁰⁰⁰C) for 20 minutes.

http://www.camerises.com