About Classic Cherry Varieties

Cherries are a beautiful, sweet stone fruit that are at their peak only for about one month during the summer season. This means, you need to enjoy them as soon as you know they are ripe! How to Choose Cherries   One important tip you should remember is that, once a cherry is picked, it will not continue to ripen. These fruits are delicate; therefore, they should be handled carefully after picking and during storage.   Examine each of the cherry stems: if the stems are bendable and plump on the cherries, this indicates they were recently picked. However, if the stems are brittle and shriveled, it is usually a sign that it will not be long before they are past their prime because they are older cherries. Make sure you are choosing cherries that have stems that are still attached to them because this will help them keep their freshness longer.

 

• Be selective: select cherries that have unblemished, smooth, and firm skin. Also, only purchase the amount of cherries you plan to consume within the next few days.

 

 

• Store the cherries properly: cherries should be stored away from foods with a strong smell since the cherries will absorb these odors. To preserve your cherries the freshest, keep them stored in the refrigerator and in a plastic bag containing ventilation holes. Also, do not wash your cherries until they are ready for use.

 

About Sweet Cherries

 

One of the most common types of cherries available in the United States are sweet cherries; which are the perfect finger food because they are high in natural sugar. Of all the sweet cherries, the most popular is the Bing cherry.

 

• Bing Cherries: these cherries range in color from dark red to nearly black. They are a firm and juicy cherry that is very sweet when fully ripened.

 

• Lambert Cherries: these are heart-shaped cherries that are dark red inside and out. Also known as Sweetheart Cherries, people like eating them as they come, as well as for cooking due to their juicy and rich flavor.

 

 

• Blonde Rainier Cherries: these are golden cherries, but they have a pink hue to their skin. Inside, their flesh is either yellow or transparent. These cherries have a delicate and very sweet flavor.

 

 

• Royal Ann Cherries: these cherries are a golden-pink color inside and out. Even though these cherries are hard to come by in orchards, they are still most often used for making maraschino cherries.