CHERRY FACTS
A few of our favorite ways to enjoy cherries
Fresh – eating out of hand, perfect for baking, cooking, making jam and putting up in Brandy.
Frozen – perfect to make cherry pies.
Canned – enjoy them during the off-season.
Dried – perfect for baking, putting in salads, or add it to your favorite cereal.
Baking – everybody loves sweets, pies and tarts.
Savory Dishes – great with pork and duck dishes.
Also can be used as condiments and sauces, Cherries Jubilee and a topping for ice cream.
How to store and preserve fresh cherries
Store them UNWASHED
in a Tupperware or similar container in the coldest part of the refrigerator. If any cherries are bruised or show signs of decay, be sure to throw them away as they will affect the other cherries.
Our cherries are VERY fresh! They will keep up to 1 week or longer if properly stored. Wash them when ready to be enjoyed!
How to Freeze Cherries
It’s easy to do and you’ll have them all year long. You can freeze them with pits or without pits.
1st step: Take the stems off.
2nd step: Wash and pat them dry.
3rd step: Freeze on a cookie sheet. (Make sure they do not touch each other). After frozen, place in a freezer bag. Store up to 10 months.
After Freezing
Eat when completely or partially frozen. Great for a hot summer day. Defrosted cherries can be held in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Refreezing is not recommended.
NOTE: Do not defrost cherries before cooking or baking. Keeping them frozen will allow you to retain all the sweet juice.
How to pit fresh cherries
This takes a bit more work, but it’s worth it, especially if you want to bake or cook with them later.
- Make sure to cover the front of you as the juice of the cherries will undoubtedly splatter all over you.
- Use a cherry pitter. Find them at any cooking supply or hardware store. Don’t fret if you don’t have one, a paring knife will do. (Use the tip of the knife to cut the cherry in half to take out the pit.)
ROUGHLY 1 POUND = 50 CHERRIES = 3 CUPS
8 CUPS = 2.5 LBS OF CHERRIES TO MAKE A NICE PLUMP 9″ CHERRY PIE
A few health benefits of cherries
- Loaded with fiber, vitamins A, B and C and lots of minerals, particularly calcium, iron and potassium.
- Are powerful anti-aging antioxidants.
- Just 4 calories each (1 cup = 90 calories), equal amounts of carbohydrates and protein and NO FAT!
- Known as an excellent blood purifier and as an energy booster (that’s what my Grandmother used to say).
- Also known to help those who suffer from gout and arthritis.
To learn more about the amazing benefits of cherries, please visit our Health Benefits page.
Stained hands?
Cut a lemon in half and squeeze over your hands. This will remove the cherry stains. Cherry-stained clothes? Don’t worry! Use Spray ‘n’ Wash or a similar product while washing. Pre-spray then wash in cold water. The stains will come right out!
Cherry leaves
Be advised that the leaves of cherries are poisonous and should NOT be eaten.