Cherries are considered to be one of the most popular fruits globally.
They’re sweet and juicy, with an amazing flavor that’s hard to match.
Unfortunately, this makes them prone to spoil more quickly than many other fruits.
Here’s what you need to know about cherries and how long they should be kept fresh.
What is the shelf life of cherries?
The average cherry lasts between 2 to 3 weeks when stored at room temperature, depending on their variety.
This means that you should eat your cherries within three months of picking them.
If you buy them from a store, they may last longer (up to 6 months), but it’s still best to eat them before then.
If you want to save them for later, refrigerate them after purchase.
You can also freeze them to preserve their taste and texture.
It’s important to note that freezing and thawing will affect the quality of the fruit, so make sure to follow the recommended cooking instructions below when using frozen cherries.
How can you tell if cherries have gone bad?
There are several signs that indicate that your cherries have spoiled.
These include mold, shriveled skin, and soft spots on the fruit.
When you see these signs, it’s time to throw away the whole batch.
Mold on cherries indicates that the bacteria has grown too much and spread throughout the produce.
Shriveled skin is another sign that your cherries have gone bad.
The skin on ripe cherries turns slightly brown when exposed to air, but once it starts to dry up and crack, it’s not safe to eat anymore.
Soft spots are also a sign that your cherries have gone bad.
These tend to form around the stem end where the water was trapped during shipping and storage, and because the cherries were picked prematurely.
Once they reach this stage, it’s best to discard them immediately.
What causes cherries to go bad?
When cherries ripen, they start producing ethylene gas.
As the sun hits the fruit, the sugars inside begin to convert into ethylene.
This process triggers the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Because ethylene is produced by the fruit itself, it doesn’t take very long for the bacteria to grow and cause decay.
One way to prevent this from happening is to pick your cherries early.
You can also wash your cherries before eating them.
This helps remove the excess sugar, which encourages the growth of bacteria.
After washing, store the cherries in the refrigerator.
They’ll keep for a few days before going bad.
How can you extend the shelf life of cherries?
You can slow down the process of decay by keeping your cherries cold.
Store them in the fridge or freezer until needed.
If you plan on making preserves out of them, you should cook them first to kill off any bacteria.
Are there any ways to salvage cherries that have gone bad?
It’s possible to salvage some of the fruit even though it looks rotten.
Just cut off the top and bottom portions of the cherry, leaving just the middle intact.
Then, slice the cherry into quarters and peel back the skin to expose the flesh.
Next, place the sections in a bowl filled with lemon juice and water.
Let them soak for 30 minutes, and then drain them.
Remove the seeds and rinse the fruit thoroughly under running water.
Dry it completely and store it in a sealed container in the fridge.
What are some recipes that use cherries?
Cherries aren’t just for snacking.
They can be used in all sorts of dishes, including pies, ice cream, jams, jellies, and sauces.
Some examples include:
Cherry pie
Cherry cobbler
Cherry almond cake
Cherry sorbet
Cherry jam
What are some interesting facts about cherries?
Cherries are one of the oldest cultivated fruits known to humans.
Archeologists have discovered evidence of cherry cultivation dating back to 7000 BC in China.
In Europe, the first cherries appeared around 5000 BC.
During the Middle Ages, people began cultivating them in France and Germany, where they became extremely popular.
Today, cherries are available all over the world.
There are over 500 varieties of cherries, and each country produces its own type.
The United States alone grows nearly 70 percent of the world’s cherries.
The biggest producer is Washington State, followed by Michigan and California.
What are some common uses for cherries?
Cherries are commonly eaten raw, dried, baked into cakes and cookies, or made into jams, sauces, syrups and ice cream.
Some of the most popular types of cherries include:
Sweet cherries
Mountain wild cherries
Fancy sour cherries
Black cherries
Bing cherries
Almond-flavored cherries
Prunier cherries
Strawberry cherries
Hulled cherries
Rainbow cherries
Persimmon cherries
Raspberry cherries
Sour cherries
Yellow cherries
What is the nutritional value of cherries?
Cherries contain vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fiber.
They also provide lots of antioxidants, which help protect against cancer and heart disease.
On a per-serving basis, they only contain about 4 calories.
How do cherries compare to other fruits?
Cherries rank high among the list of healthy foods.
For example, they have more vitamin C than oranges, lemons, strawberries, and kiwis.
They also contain twice as much potassium as bananas and five times more fiber than apples.
On the downside, they’re low in protein, fat, and sodium.
Cherry Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- 1 oven
- 1 freezer
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherries fresh or frozen
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the cherries on the sheet. Roast the cherries for about 10 minutes until they are soft and juicy.
- Heat the milk and sugar over low heat in a medium saucepan. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the roasted cherries and their juices to the milk mixture. Stir until combined.
- Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Place the mixture in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Serve immediately or store in the freezer for later.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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