Section 1: Overview
For centuries, sour cherries have provided cooks with joy, flavor and nutrition. Every year, new recipes are created with these tart treats, and they can be used in jams, ice cream, baking, preserves and appetizers. With a tree full of these delicious fruit, you may be wondering how best to process them. In this article, we will be exploring how to process and store sour cherries from the tree to ensure you get the most out of your harvest.
Section 2: Harvesting
When it comes to harvesting your sour cherries, timing is key. Most sour varieties ripen early in the season before sweet cherries, and you should start checking for ripeness about one and a half weeks after bloom. Take note – you can begin to gently pull on the stem and if it lifts away from the tree easily, your cherry is ripe and ready to be harvested. Once harvested, pick over the fruit carefully, discarding any that don’t meet your standards, or worms.
Section 3: Processing
When freezing sour cherries, you will need to remove the pit. To make this task easier, soften a batch of them in hot water for 2 minutes. The skin and pit will separate more easily, making it a simple task to remove the pit and freeze the fruit. To freeze with the pit, measure and flash-freeze 1/2 cup portions in zip-lock bags. Frozen this way, the fruit will not lose its shape in storage.
Section 4: Cleaning, Storing and Serving
A key step in processing sour cherries is to rinse them off in cold water. Allow time for the cherries to soak for about 5 minutes, then remove them from the water and gently pat them dry with a soft towel. For immediate use, you can store them in the fridge in shallow storage containers. Fill the container with water, add a few drops of lemon juice, then place the cherries in the container and place in the fridge. This will keep cherries fresh for 4-5 days.
Section 5: Ideas for Serving
When it comes to serving kriechern, the possibilities are truly endless. For a unique dessert, try a tart cherry pie with a flaky crust. Sour cherry preserves and compote make a great addition to toast, oatmeal and yogurt. Create a special sour cherry jam for a sweet, tart treat. Or for a savory snack, roasted and salted pitted cherries served with a light crumble.
Section 6: Health Benefits
While everyone loves the taste of tart cherries, these little gems are actually packed with a lot of nutrition. They are high in vitamins A, C and E and are loaded with antioxidants, making them a great addition to any diet. Studies have also shown that consumption of tart cherries is linked to improved sleep and joint health, as well as reduced inflammation.
Section 7: Recipes
For a quick and easy way to enjoy tart cherries, try a crisp and juicy tart cherry salsa. Simply combine pitted cherries with diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice. Other delicious recipes include sour cherry gelato, sour cherry tart with almond crust and a sweet and sour cherry ice cream with a balsamic syrup.
Section 8: Dehydrating
Dehydrating sour cherries is a simple, cost-effective way to preserve and enjoy their flavor year-round. The best way to dehydrate tart cherries is to wash and pit them and then slice them into thin rings. Place the rings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place into a 160°F for about 4-6 hours. Once the cherries are fully dehydrated, store them in an airtight container for later use.
Section 9: Sweet vs. Sour
Most people are familiar with sweet cherries, yet sour cherries have a few advantages that many don’t realize. Sour cherries are higher in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants and pectin, making them more nutritious than their sweet counterparts. Sour cherries are also more tart and less sweet, which makes them great for making jams, jellies and pies, as they require less sugar.
Section 10: Safety Considerations
Before eating any of your fresh tart cherries, make sure they are free of worms and other contaminants. Discard any fruit that appears to have been pecked by a bird and store them in airtight containers, such as Mason jars. If consuming canned or frozen sour cherries, only select products that have been processed in a certified facility and have a seal of approval from a trusted food safety organization.
Follow safe food handling practices and only consume the cherries that you have properly inspected and washed.
