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It’s Cherry Season! Here’s What You Need to Know

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor
Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.
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published Jul 15, 2014
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Ah, cherry season! It’s a short, yet deliciously sweet blip on the calendar, and one I look forward to every summer. I could barely contain my excitement when these sweet, red jewels began to trickle in to the farmers market and grocery stores here in New York.

The window for cherry season is short! Like, just around one month short. Six weeks if you’re lucky. Timing varies around the country, with the west coast receiving their bounty as early as May. Here in New York fresh cherries usually make their appearance during July.

You’re probably most familiar with Bing cherries. They range in color from bright to deep red, with semi-firm flesh and a rich, sweet to tangy flavor. They’re also the most produced type of sweet cherries in the U.S.

(Image credit: Emily Han)

Rainier cherries are another common variety you see at the market, perhaps with a higher price tag. These cherries have a distinctive reddish-yellow skin with tender, creamy flesh and a sweeter flavor than other cherries. Rainier cherries are probably most perfect eaten as is. They’re a little too sweet for pie baking, although they do make a nice jam.

→ More on cherries: How to Choose and Store Cherries

Cherries are high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They can be eaten raw, preserved in brandy, baked in a clafoutis or pie, or pitted and juiced. They’re easy to prepare…just wash them off, pop in your mouth, spit out the pit, and enjoy!

What’s your favorite way to take advantage of cherry season?

Updated from a post originally published May 2008.

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