Selecting and Storing

• Select firm, ripe fruits. Cherries that have the stem intact will stay fresher longer.
• Store unwashed cherries in the refrigerator and use within 3-5 days.
• To freeze tart cherries: Wash, drain, then place in containers and freeze.
• If desired, you can add 3/4 cup sugar for each quart of cherries before freezing.
• To freeze sweet cherries for individual use: Wash, drain, then place on a tray in the freezer. Once frozen, place them in bags or containers.
• To make your own dried cherries: Wash and cut fruits in half, remove pits. Dry for 24 to 36 hours in a dehydrator.

Fun Facts

• The United States produces more than 650 million pounds of tart and sweet cherries. Michigan grows about 75 percent of the U.S. crop of tart cherries, usually about 250 million pounds. Michigan harvests about 20 percent of the US crop of sweet cherries.
• The most popular variety of tart cherries is Montmorency. The newest variety grown in Michigan is the Balaton.
• Some of the sweet cherry varieties grown in Michigan are: Emperor, Napoleon, Francis, and Schmidt.
• The same chemicals that give tart cherries their color may relieve pain better than aspirin and ibuprofen.

Nutritional Information:

• Cherries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and a good source of potassium, magnesium, iron, folate, and fiber.
• Tart cherries are excellent sources of beta carotene. They contain19 times the beta-carotene of blueberries and strawberries.
• Cherries are one of the few known food sources of melatonin, an antioxidant that helps regulate our circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns. Tart cherries contain 27 mg and sweet cherries have 7 mg.

Recipes:

• Cherry Berry Smoothie
• Cherry Greens Salad
• Cherry Lemon Cooler
• Cherry Berry Salad