Ask sweetly for this ruby-red fruit and you won’t be disappointed.

Cherries can be baked into scrumptious pastries or pulled right off the stem for a bite-sized summer snack.

This month is particularly special for these glossy clusters. Cherry enthusiasts gather every July to celebrate the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Mich. Festival-goers enjoy the fruit in unique ways, competing in pie-eating and pit-spitting contests.

This fruit offers more than just a good time. Cherries are high in dietary fiber and Vitamin C. One cup of cherries also contains about 260 mg of potassium, a nutrient that helps regulate blood pressure.

Peak season for cherries is early June to late August, but you can easily enjoy these juicy gems year-round. Just freeze stemmed cherries in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm. Pack frozen cherries in a small airtight container and hide away for those winter cravings.

WHAT NUTRITIONDATA.COM SAYS:

The good: This food is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and Vitamin C.

The bad: A large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars.

NUTRITION PER 1 CUP

Calories: 87

Total fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0%

Sodium: 0mg

Total carbs: 22g

Dietary Fiber: 3g

Sugars: 18g

Protein: 1g