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Groups of Cherry Varieties

Sweet cherries have often been classed into two main groups: bigarreau with
firm, dry flesh; and guigne (the French equivalent of 'gean') with soft,
juicy flesh. However, hybridization has blurred this old distinction. Sweet
cherries of the firmer (bigarreau) sort include the justly popular 'white'
(in reality light red and yellow) Napoleon, Bing (a fine red cherry, named
after his Chinese workman by an American grower, now dominating US fresh
sweet cherry production), and Rainier (a cross of Bing and Van, delicate and
exquisitely sweet)> Softer (guigne) varieties include Black Tartarian and
Coe's Transparent (with a clear skin, but too delicate to be shipped.)

Sour cherries are classified into two groups: amarelle or relatively light
colored, with clear juice; and griotte, dark or black, with coloured juice.
Montmorency (which originated in the valley of that name in the
Ile-de-France, where a Fete de la Cerise is still held annually) is a famous
variety of amarelle; and Morello the best-known griotte.

Sweet-and-sour cherries are intermediate between the above categories. They
often go under the name Duke (Royale in France). This kind of cherry came to
England from Medoc, which name was adapted to May Duke, later abbreviated to
Duke.