Stefano Lugli - SL Fruit Service (IT)
Chair of Cherry Times technical-scientific committee
The cultivar (cv) Royal Helen* produced by a young producer from the province of Modena (IT) was awarded the title of 'Most Beautiful Cherry in Italy' 2023. Congratulations to Riccardo Bergonzini. The jury of the competition that rewards Italian excellence every year during an initiative now in its XXIV edition, supported by teams of renowned chefs and qualified experts of this fruit of paradise, decreed the Californian maiden as the most charming of cherries, but not the tastiest.
IMAGE 1: Classification of the national 'Cherries of Italy' competition 2023
The fine palates of the commission decided that the award for the best cherry should go to an elderly lady from Campania, now at the end of her career, the variety Spernocchia.
IMAGE 2: Spernocchia
Old hen makes good stock? Wisdom comes with age? It depends on the point of view. I share a thought by Oscar Whild that seems pertinent: With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone.
Royal Helen's value
IMAGE 3: Royal Helen*
A pragmatic view, supported by experimental experience and direct observations in orchards, leads us to say that Royal Helen* should rightfully be included in the top ten of the new late season cherry varieties. For these three reasons: high aesthetic standards, excellent cherry quality and high production performance.
IMAGE 4: Main features of Royal Helen*
The varieties of the Royal® series, the Californian cherries of Zaiger Genetics, were presented to the general public four years ago at the International Cherry Symposium in Vignola (IT). Among them is the cultivar Royal Helen*.
Links for further information:
15 Dec 2025
Seaweed-based biostimulants help cherry trees produce more high-quality fruit, support growth and improve tolerance to environmental stress. The article outlines effective strategies to enhance cherry production during key stages of the growing cycle.
12 Sep 2023
Alternaria alternata fungus is a widespread problem known to cause significant contamination and rotting of produce during the post-harvest storage period. Lipopeptides produced by the Y17B strain lead to less development of the disease.
22 Jun 2026
The 29th Italian Cherries National Competition concluded in Bracigliano, honoring Spernocchia cherries from Bracigliano Natura and Alfonso Ferrentino, Sweet Saretta from Quartieri Farm, and Ferrovia from Rosanna Gullo for quality, flavor and deep territorial identity.
22 Jun 2026
Cherry Growers Australia unveils its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan in Adelaide at the Cherry 2026 conference. The roadmap aims to lift domestic consumption and exports, improve quality, innovation and sustainability, and unite Australian growers around shared priorities.
