Cherries: How to Select, Store and Serve
May 20, 2016, Updated Jun 07, 2021
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Cherries were brought to North America by English colonists in the 1600s, and thank goodness for that! Could you imagine summer without cherries? Is life without cherry pie really life at all?!
If you can’t tell, we’re big fans of cherries around here! Rainier, Chelan, Bing…we love them all. And really, what’s not to love? They’re sweet, juicy and provide our bodies with all sorts of nutrients. Cherries contain powerful antioxidants, including melatonin which supports restful sleep. Cherries also contain anti-inflammatory compounds, carotenoids, fiber, and vitamin C.
How to Select Cherries
- Sweet, red cherries: look for firm cherries that have a deep red color.
- Rainier cherries: are red and yellow and will be less firm than red cherries. A pink hue signals more sun exposure, meaning a sweeter flavor.
- Avoid cherries that are shriveled, wrinkled, or soft.
How to Store Cherries
- Refrigerator cherries as soon as possible.
- Place them in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- To make cherries last longer, do not wash them until right before eating.
- You can stretch cherry season by freezing them. Here are detailed instructions on how to freeze cherries.
How to Serve Cherries
- Most cherry recipes call for pitted cherries. Did you know you can easily pit cherries with an aluminum can and a chopstick? It’s one of our favorite produce tricks!
Here are some cherry recipes we know you’ll love! We sure do.
For even more cherry recipes, be sure to follow The Produce Mom’s cherry Pinterest board!
Do you have a favorite cherry recipe? Please share in the comments below!
