Fruit Tips for Care & Enjoyment
The Stemilt Difference
Leading the Way in Flavor: Where Innovation Meets Tradition to Deliver Fruit that Delights Every Time
How Do I…
Know When Cherries are in Season?
Our cherry season kicks off in early May and runs through September, moving to Washington by June. Click here to go to cherry availability!
Use Cherries to Help with Inflammation?
Rich in anthocyanins, cherries support muscle recovery, fight inflammation, and are a great post-workout or arthritis-friendly snack.
Know the Different Types of Cherries?
At Stemilt, we grow our favorite cherries, Rainiers and a mix of dark-sweets like Bing, Coral, Skeena, Sweetheart, and Staccato®.
Are Cherries Safe for Pets?
Cherries without pits or stems are generally safe for dogs, but whole cherries pose choking and toxin risks
Are Cherries GMO?
No, cherries are not genetically modified fruits.
Store Cherries?
Cherries stay crisp and sweet in the cold, store unwashed in a breathable container and enjoy within a week.
Save Cherries for Later?
Cherry season is short, but with a few simple tricks, you can freeze or preserve them to enjoy year-round.
The Best Cherries Have…
Bright Green Stems
That’s a sign of freshness!
Firm and Plump Skin
Skip the soft or shriveled ones.
Shiny, Smooth Skin
This means your cherries are in great shape, literally!
Color
For dark-sweet cherries, look for a deep red or rich mahogany color. For Rainier cherries, look for a bit of pink or red blush and a golden yellow background.
Did You Know…
Sweet Dreams Start with Cherries
Cherries are one of nature’s best sources of melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep. A handful before bed? Yes, please!
They’re Packed with the Good Stuff
Cherries are bursting with essential vitamins like A, B, and C. They’re tiny, but mighty when it comes to boosting your daily nutrition.
Cherries are Gentle on Your Blood Sugar
With a low glycemic index score of just 22, cherries are a smart choice for keeping blood sugar levels steady.
Bones Love Cherries, too
They contain boron, a mineral that supports calcium balance, bone strength, and may even help prevent osteoporosis.
They’ve Got Potassium Power
Cherries deliver potassium, which is important for keeping your muscles, heart, kidneys, and nerves running smoothly.
Want to dive deeper into the science behind cherries? Our friends at Have A Plant Fruits and Veggies for Better Health have great resources on sweet cherry nutrition and research. Go check them out!
Our Top Tips!
Eat Them within 5–7 Days
Cherries are at their peak in the first week after you bring them home. That’s when they’re juiciest, crunchiest, and full of flavor!
Store Smart
Store unwashed cherries in the coldest part of your fridge, away from strong-smelling foods like onions.
Keep it Cool
Cherries stay crisp and sweet in the cold, store unwashed in a breathable container and enjoy within a week.
Freeze for Later
Want to enjoy cherries after the season’s over? Freeze them! Just pit first for easy use in smoothies, sauces, and snacks.
Too Many Cherries? Juice Them!
Homemade cherry juice is refreshing, naturally sweet, and easy to make, just thaw frozen cherries and juice!
Cherry Varieties
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Memory
You know that feeling after tasting an amazing piece of fruit? It’s instinctive, you want more. With every cherry we grow, our mission is simple: deliver such a flavorful experience that one taste just isn’t enough.
Trust
Great tasting fruit is the result of care, craft, and a deep commitment to flavor. With the right hands on our fruit, the Stemilt difference is quality and freshness you can trust, from our orchard to your table.
Growing in Nature’s Sweet Spots
At Stemilt, our cherries grow where nature brings out their best, from California’s Delta to Washington’s high-elevation orchards. Warm days, cool nights, and mountain air help cherries ripen slowly, building sweetness and flavor. We grow in harmony with the land to deliver unforgettable cherries!
Thoughtful Practices, Exceptional Fruit
Each cherry is hand-picked with care in the cool, early hours of summer morning, often starting as early as 4 AM. That’s when the fruit is at its firmest, helping us protect its quality from the very start. Waiting until midday, especially on an 80-degree day, would leave cherries soft and vulnerable to bruising, so we work early to preserve their freshness and flavor.
Innovation for Quality, Every Step of the Way
Once cherries leave the tree, the clock starts ticking. Because they’re so delicate and perishable, we move quickly to lock in their freshness. Within hours of harvest, right in the orchard, we run cherries through a hydrocooler, gently bringing down their temperature to start the cold chain. From there, it’s straight to packing, so they stay fresh and flavorful all the way to you.
The Longest Lasting Cherry Season Around
Stemilt’s cherry season is something special, it begins in early May and stretches all the way into September. Thanks to our diverse growing regions, we’re able to enjoy one of the longest cherry seasons anywhere, bringing fresh, delicious cherries to you all summer long.
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