Choosing and Storing

Buying

Choose cherries with green stems attached. The colour of cherries will vary according to variety, however they should all appear plump with shiny skin. Avoid cherries that are soft and bruised or small and hard.

Storage

Once picked, cherries cease to ripen, so should be consumed within 4 days of purchase. They last longer with the stem attached. Store cherries, loosely packed, in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge. Cherries can also be frozen, pitted, for up to 6 months.

Preparation

Rinse cherries immediately before consuming. Fresh cherries can be served intact with stones or once pitted, however, the stones should be removed before use in cooking. To remove the stones use a cherry pitter or, using a small sharp knife, cut a slit in one side of the cherry then remove the stone. Most cherries are very juicy, so consider pitting them inside a plastic bag to avoid stains.

Watch Judy Davie's tips on how to pick, handle and store cherries

Requires Quicktime. Running Time: 2 mins 5 seconds.