Whether you buy cherries at the grocery store or farmer's market, you need to process and store them properly to preserve your cherries. You can also freeze and preserve cherries to enjoy their flavor in winter. In this article you will learn how you can do all of this.
Preserving cherries without preserving them – storage tips
How long do fresh cherries last?? Fresh cherries will last three to four days if stored on the counter and up to a week in the refrigerator. Only rinse the cherries immediately before eating, as liquid accelerates the spoilage process. If frozen properly, cherries last longer, up to six months.
- Make sure the cherries are dry. Store cherries unwashed as moisture accelerates spoilage. If they are wet, pat them dry with paper towels. Rinse with cold water immediately before consumption or preparation.
- Sort out bad cherries. Check your cherries for bruises. If they are misshapen, remove them from the others and discard them.
- Leave the stems on the cherries. Bright green stems are a sign of freshness, and picking them off can cause your cherries to spoil more quickly.
- Place the cherries in a clean bowl in a dark place. After sorting your cherries, carefully place them in a bowl. They can be stored at room temperature for a few days, but they will last longer in a cooler space like the refrigerator. If you store them on the kitchen table, make sure they are not exposed to direct sunlight as the heat will make them soggy. If you leave your cherries on the counter, keep them in a dark place.
- Extend the life of the cherries by placing them on a baking sheet. If you want to keep your cherries longer, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the refrigerator. This will prevent them from getting bruised and they will last longer in the fridge than on the counter.
For more tips on how to keep fruits and vegetables fresher for longer,read here!
How to freeze cherries – step by step instructions
Cherries are typically harvested in late spring and summer. You can freeze cherries to enjoy outside of cherry season. Follow these step-by-step instructions for freezing cherries:
- Pick fresh, ripe cherries. Avoid freezing cherries with bruises.
- Wash the cherries. Wash the cherries and pat dry with a paper towel. Remove the stems.
- Pit the cherries. You can use a cherry pitter or straightened paper clip to push through the cherry to remove the pit. You can also cut the cherries in half to remove the pits. (Pitting the cherries after thawing is more difficult.)
- Freeze the cherries. Spread the pitted cherries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Freeze the cherries for at least two hours or until firm. Freezing prevents the cherries from sticking together.
- Save the cherries. Place the frozen cherries in a freezer bag or airtight container. If you store them in a bag, be sure to squeeze out the excess air before sealing the bag to avoid freezer burn.
Frozen cherries lose their shape after thawing and are therefore better suited for smoothies or cooking; Fresh cherries are better for snacking. To thaw your frozen cherries, remove them from the freezer four hours before you need them. After defrosting, the fruit will release some liquid, which you should collect before cooking.
How to preserve sweet cherries
Fresh cherries are a delight of the summer season. Luckily, there are easy ways you can preserve cherries for the rest of the year. So stock up when you find a good deal.
With brandy:Of course, this is an adult-only treat, but we like cherries with brandy and they're easy to make. Place the cherries (pitted or not) into hot mason jars, leaving 3cm between them. Add 1/2 teaspoon of raw sugar to 250 ml or 1 teaspoon to 500 ml of mason jars. Fill the containers (with a distance of 3 cm) with brandy. Put the lid on and let it simmer in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Before consuming, store the jars in a cool, dark cupboard for at least 1 month (better even longer). Use a cheap brandy here, it doesn't necessarily have to be the good stuff.
You can pour the roasted cherries over cakes and ice cream or just snack and drink the kirsch schnapps after your meal.
Dehydrated:Fresh cherries can be pitted and placed in a single layer on a drying tray and dried. However, drying can take a very long time. The trick is to first freeze the pitted cherries for a day (longer can be done) and then let them thaw completely in a colander in the sink so that the excess water can drain away.
Dry these thawed cherries in a single layer in the dehydrator. The drying process is much faster once the water has been removed from the freezing/thawing process.
Cherry jam recipesfind out here!
