Cherries are a beloved fruit, cherished for their sweet and tangy flavour. While they are a summer delight, their goodness can be savoured all year with the right know-how. From picking them fresh at their peak to preserving and using them in various forms, enjoying cherries 365 days a year is easier than you might think.
Finding and picking the best cherries during their season ensures you enjoy their natural sweetness. But if you're eager to enjoy cherries beyond the summer, learning simple preserving techniques like canning and freezing can make them last. Preserved cherries can be turned into delightful sauces, drinks, and desserts, offering a taste of summer even in the chilly months.
Including cherries in your daily snacks and drinks adds a natural burst of flavour and colour that brightens any dish or beverage. From a refreshing cherry-infused drink to a creative cherry-based recipe, the options are deliciously endless. Let's dive into ways to keep that cherry cheer alive all year round!
Fresh and Tasty: Enjoying Cherries in Season
When cherries are in season, they offer a sweet, juicy treat that’s hard to resist. To make the most of their peak flavour, it’s important to know how to select and use them in your everyday meals.
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Picking the Best Cherries: Look for cherries with vibrant colour and shiny skin. They should feel firm to the touch and have fresh, green stems. Avoid cherries with bruises or soft spots, as these are signs they're past their prime.
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Incorporating Fresh Cherries: Once you have the best cherries, think about creative ways to enjoy them throughout your day. Start your morning by adding cherries to your cereal or yoghurt for a fruity kick. They also make great additions to a fruit salad for a refreshing side dish at lunch.
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Cherry Snacks: For a simple snack, enjoy cherries on their own or paired with cheese and nuts for a balanced bite. The natural sweetness of cherries complements savoury snacks perfectly.
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Cherry Desserts: Use fresh cherries to top ice cream or mix them into a cake batter. Their juice adds both flavour and moisture, enhancing your favourite recipes.
These tips help you fully appreciate cherries’ unique taste while they’re in season, letting you enjoy fresh cherries at their best.
Preserving the Harvest: Canning and Freezing Cherries
Preserving cherries ensures you can enjoy their delicious taste even when they’re out of season. Canning and freezing are two effective methods to store cherries long-term, keeping their flavour and nutrients intact.
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Canning Cherries:
1. Prepare the Cherries: Wash and pit the cherries. You can leave them whole or cut them in half.
2. Make a Syrup: Heat water and sugar until the sugar dissolves to create a syrup.
3. Fill the Jars: Pack the cherries into sterilised jars and cover them with the hot syrup, leaving some headspace at the top.
4. Seal and Process: Seal the jars with lids and process them in a boiling water bath for about 15 minutes. This step prevents spoilage and preserves the cherries.
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Freezing Cherries:
1. Wash and Pit: Remove pits and any stems from the cherries.
2. Spread on a Tray: Place the cherries in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze until solid. This prevents them from clumping together.
3. Store in Bags: Transfer the frozen cherries to airtight bags or containers. Label them with the date and return them to the freezer.
Preserving cherries through canning or freezing lets you savour their sweet taste all year long. These methods maintain the cherries’ quality, ensuring they’re just as enjoyable as when freshly picked.
Creative Cherry Recipes for Every Season
Cherries bring a burst of flavour to dishes throughout the year. Whether you have fresh or preserved cherries, there's always a way to include them in your meals. These recipes show how cherries can shine in both warm and cool months.
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Summer Sorbets and Drinks: During summer, cool off with cherry sorbets. Blend fresh or frozen cherries with sugar and a bit of lemon juice. Freeze the mixture until firm for a refreshing treat. For drinks, try a cherry lemonade by mixing cherry juice with lemon juice and sparkling water. This thirst-quencher is perfect for sunny days.
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Autumn Delights: As seasons change, incorporate preserved cherries into cosy dishes. Add cherries to a roasted butternut pumpkin salad with goat cheese for a sweet and savoury flavour. The cherries add a delightful colour and sweetness.
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Winter Warmth: In winter, use canned cherries in warm desserts like cherry cobblers. Bake a dish with cherries topped with a biscuit-like crust for a comforting sweet after a cold day. The warm cherries paired with vanilla ice cream make a heavenly treat.
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Cherry Enhancements: Use cherry preserves in sauces for meats. Blend them with balsamic vinegar and herbs to create a savoury glaze for roasts, adding depth to hearty meals.
Adapting cherries to each season lets you enjoy their luscious taste all year, making meals memorable and special.
Embracing Cherries in Daily Snacks and Drinks
Cherries can be a delightful addition to the snacks and drinks you enjoy every day. Easy to incorporate, they can transform a simple treat or drink into something extraordinary.
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Smoothies and Juices: Blend cherries with bananas, spinach, and a splash of almond milk for a smoothie that’s both tasty and nutritious. The natural sweetness of cherries masks the taste of greens, making it great for kids, too. For juice lovers, extract cherry juice and mix it with apple or orange juice for a refreshing drink.
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Cherry-Infused Water: Create a hydrating beverage by infusing water with cherries and mint leaves. Simply add fresh cherries and a few mint sprigs to a pitcher of water and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. The result is a subtly flavoured drink that’s both refreshing and healthy.
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Easy Snacks: Add dried cherries to mixed nuts for a portable snack. This combination offers a balance of sweet and savoury, perfect for a midday energy boost.
Using cherries in your snacks and drinks not only provides a nutritional boost but also adds a lovely, natural sweetness that enhances everyday enjoyment.
Conclusion:
Cherries, with their vibrant colour and sweet taste, enrich all your culinary creations, whether in meals, drinks, or snacks. They’re versatile, allowing you to explore endless possibilities across different seasons. Embrace cherries in your everyday life and experience the delightful flavour and health benefits they bring.
For those ready to dive deeper into the world of cherries and bring these exciting ideas to life, contact Pure Organic Cherries to discover premium varieties that promise the freshest taste and highest quality. Explore our offerings to transform your meals with nature’s finest cherries in NZ.