The management and the technical scientific committee of Cherry Times welcomes Dr. Jesús Alonso, a Spanish expert researcher specialized in studies on cherries post-harvest.
Jesús Alonso is a postharvest research scientist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), with extensive experience in the quality and postharvest preservation of sweet cherries and other fruit crops.
His expertise includes cell wall disassembly and the enzymatic regulation of texture, with a strong focus on the physiological and biochemical processes that determine postharvest and processing performance.
Building on this scientific foundation, he has conducted in-depth research on storage technologies using controlled and modified atmospheres, as well as sustainable packaging, edible coatings, biological control, and other innovative postharvest treatments aimed at controlling biological processes, extending shelf life, reducing mechanical damage, and optimizing sensory attributes.
Dr. Jesús Alonso
Alongside his academic research, Dr. Alonso collaborates actively with cherry producers, cooperatives, and companies, providing specialized technical consulting to improve postharvest strategies across the value chain.
He has also held high-level science policy positions, including serving as Secretary General for Science, Technology and Innovation in the regional government of Extremadura (Spain), where he led strategic initiatives to promote scientific development and launched programs for breeding new cherry cultivars adapted to commercial and local agroclimatic conditions.
He is currently exploring the application of non-invasive technologies—such as X-ray CT, hyperspectral imaging, and NIR spectroscopy—to better understand internal quality and varietal behavior in cherries.
In 2012, he founded elmundodelacereza.com, a reference platform for the dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge for professionals in the cherry sector.
We wish Dr. Jesús Alonso continued success in his work, confident that his valuable contributions will further enhance the quality of our magazine and be greatly appreciated by our readers.
Thomas Drahorad
Stefano Lugli
19 Jan 2024
According to the US Department of Agriculture, Michigan had 23,000 acres of sour cherries in 2022. The number of growers decreased from 540 in 2006 to 253 in 2022. The number of processors also decreased from 24 in 2011 to 14 in 2023.
07 Mar 2024
Using 116 sweet cherry accessions, researchers analysed 23 agronomic fruit quality traits. The research uses genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to identify genetic markers associated with improved fruit quality.
19 Jun 2025
The 2025 cherry season in the U.S. Northwest looks promising: 21.4 million boxes forecasted, a 9% increase over 2024. Optimism rises for exports and domestic sales, thanks to an evenly set crop, better timing, and less overlap with California’s cherry harvest.
19 Jun 2025
Regina cherries for export to China need targeted postharvest treatments to retain premium quality. This Chilean study explores the use of natural elicitors to reduce internal browning and improve firmness and flavor throughout cold storage and long-distance transport.
