Appreciating the Myriad Varieties of Sweet Cherries

Appreciating the Varieties of Sweet Cherries

Cherries have been celebrated through the ages as a symbol of goodness and joy. Their sweet juiciness makes them one of the most beloved stone fruits worldwide. Over two-thirds of cherries commercially grown in the United States come from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Michigan.

There are two main types of edible cherries - sweet and sour. Sweet cherries are most often eaten fresh, while sour cherries are used primarily for cooking and baking. Within sweet cherries, there is remarkable diversity in size, shape, color, flavor and growing traits.

Popular Sweet Cherry Types

Many favorite sweet cherry varieties fall within three main categories:

• Bing - Very firm, large, deep red cherries with crisp texture.
• Rainier - Yellow with red blush. Very sweet and low acidity.
• Brooks - Medium, bright red. Balanced sweet-tart flavor. Short stems.

Beyond this cherry trinity, several other varieties like Skeena, Sweetheart, Lapin, and more offer their own unique enjoyability.

Growing Regions in America

The peak season for fresh sweet cherries runs from May through August. Climate and growing conditions vary among top producing states, resulting in several ideal harvest times.

• California - Mid-May to mid-June
• Oregon and Washington - June to mid-July
• Michigan - Early July
• Utah - Mid-July
• Idaho - Late July to mid-August

This range of harvests means fresh cherries are available at grocers and farmers markets for months at a time during spring and summer.

Recognizing Perfectly Ripe Sweet Cherries

Timing cherry picking and purchasing just right comes down to subtle visual and textural cues. Knowing what to look for means better flavor and shelf life.

On the Tree Evaluation

Commercial sweet cherries are often picked while slightly under-ripe to allow for transport and sale. But cherries allowed to ripen fully on tree branches make for the best eating experience. Signs tree-ripened cherries exhibit include:

• Deep, bright color depending on variety
• Plump, firm flesh
• Intact stems still attached
• Resilience when gently squeezed

Store Bought Assessment

Even commercially harvested cherries continue ripening after picking. Use these tips for choosing ready-to-devour cherries at the supermarket or farm stand:

• Avoid mushy or shriveled fruit
• Select cherries with glossy skin minus bruises
• Lighter color varieties should still appear bright
• Cherries should feel heavy for their size

Proper storage and quick enjoyment ensures cherries remain at peak quality once home from the store.

Storing Sweet Cherries Correctly

Sweet cherries’ extremely perishable nature means savoring their flesh at perfect ripeness requires forethought. Follow these guidelines for keeping just-picked or store bought cherries fresh as long as possible.

Refrigeration

The ideal storage temperature for cherries falls between 30-35° Fahrenheit. Colder than that can damage their delicate skins and flesh. The high moisture content of cherries makes rapid refrigeration vital, ideally within an hour of picking or purchasing.

Moisture Control

Excess moisture speeds up mold growth and other deterioration in cherrie’s thin skins. Gently pat fresh cherries dry with a paper towel if still wet from washing. Cherries should be kept loosely packed so air circulates rather than sweating.

Shelf Life

How quickly ripe cherries must be enjoyed comes down to variety, growing methods and storage factors after harvest. Most sweet cherries last only about two weeks in the fridge. Some varieties cling to freshness slightly longer at around three weeks max.

Freezing extends shelf life drastically compared to refrigeration. With freezer friendly packaging, cherries frozen at peak ripeness easily last 10-12 months.

Freezing and Thawing for Off-Season Enjoyment

Freezing lets sweet cherry lovers enjoy their bounty long past summer’s end. Follow proper ice crystal minimizing methods to protect texture and maximize flavor over months in the freezer.

Dry vs Syrup Packing

Two options exist for properly storing cherries to freeze - packing them dry or soaking in syrup first. Dry freezing means less added sugar for those monitoring health. But syrup’s thickness protects cherrie’s cell walls better during thawing.

Preventing Freezer Burn

Regardless of dry or syrup packing, keeping frozen cherries safe from freezer damage requires air-tight, moisture resistant containers or bags. Rigid plastic containers prevent crushing that speeds freezer burn too.

Thawing and Using

Let frozen cherries thaw slowly over 24 hours in the main refrigerator compartment before consuming. Speed thawing in the microwave results in burst skin and mushy texture. Use thawed frozen cherries in all the same ways as fresh - directly snacking, in fruit salads, clafoutis, pies and more.

Versatile Sweet Cherry Uses

Fresh cherries beyond straight off the stem sweet snacking play delicious roles in all types of recipes too. Their cheering color and balance of sugary and tart notes enliven both savory dishes and sweet treats.

Savory Applications

Mildly sweet cherries provide a nice contrast to sharper ingredients like bitter greens, pungent cheeses, or spikes of black pepper. Favorites savory cherry pairings include:

• Salads with blue cheese or goat cheese crumbles
• Pork tenderloin or duck with cherry sauce
• Cherry chutney as a ham glaze

Sweet and Dessert Usages

Cherries naturally shine as star ingredients in all types of fruity desserts too. Beyond just topping cheesecake or ice cream sundaes, sweet cherry mix-ins for baked goods include:

• Clafoutis - a flan-like French baked custard
• Cherry pie filling
• Preserves like cherry jam
• Shrimp and cherry salad

In milkshakes, smoothies, cocktails, cereals, yogurt bowls and many other applications, both tart and sugary sweet cherries never cease delighting taste buds.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.