Trešnja

Benzaldehyde

Benzaldehyde is an organic compound consisting of a benzene ring with a formyl substituent. It is among the simplest aromatic aldehydes. It is commonly used in cherry-flavored sodas. In a study of the stems, leaves and flowers of the Saco sweet cherry cultivar, benzaldehyde and 4-methylbenzaldehyde were among the major volatile compounds. Benzaldehyde is among the major volatiles that are mainly responsible for the characteristic aroma of sweet cherry flowers.

Amygdalin and bitterness

Amygdalin is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in many plants, such as the seeds of apricots, bitter almonds, apples, peaches, cherries and plums. Amygdalin and the enzymes needed to hydrolyze it are stored in separate locations and mix only as a result of tissue damage. Benzaldehyde released from amygdalin provides a bitter flavor. In Prunus avium, all parts of the plant except the ripe fruit are slightly toxic and contain cyanogenic glycosides.

Companion aldehydes

4-Methylbenzaldehyde, also called p-tolualdehyde, is the aromatic aldehyde with the formula CH₃C₆H₄CHO. Piperonal, also known as heliotropin, is an organic compound that is structurally related to other aromatic aldehydes such as benzaldehyde and vanillin. Piperonal naturally occurs in various plants, for example dill, violet flowers and black pepper. 4-Anisaldehyde, or p-anisaldehyde, is an organic compound with the formula CH₃OC₆H₄CHO. Its molecule consists of a benzene ring with a formyl and a methoxy group.

The fruit

A cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus and is a fleshy drupe. Commercial cherries are obtained from cultivars of several species, such as the sweet Prunus avium and the sour Prunus cerasus. The sour cherry has two main groups of cultivars: the dark-red Morello cherry and the lighter-red Amarelle cherry. In 2020 world production of sweet cherries was 2.61 million tonnes, with Turkey producing 28% of this total. Maraschino is a liqueur obtained from the distillation of Marasca cherries. The Marasca cherry tree grows wild along parts of the Dalmatian coast in Croatia.