What are the ramifications of juicing cherries, pits and all, and then straining, to serve as a drink? I ask this question, as I contemplate what to do with the motherlode of cherry picking bounty.
Raw cherry pits (as well as other fruits) contain amygdalin which when broken down by the body produces cyanide (the active ingredient in zyklon B). It can and HAS caused deaths but appears to be destroyed by proper heating-altho, it can occur in different amounts so the heating should be thorough. The Italians make a dark cherry gelato using cherry pits so heating must be effective/
Ground cherry pits
in Kitchen Consumer
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Raw cherry pits (as well as other fruits) contain amygdalin which when broken down by the body produces cyanide (the active ingredient in zyklon B). It can and HAS caused deaths but appears to be destroyed by proper heating-altho, it can occur in different amounts so the heating should be thorough. The Italians make a dark cherry gelato using cherry pits so heating must be effective/