How to Choose Cherries

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

10 Aug 2007 06:43 AM

Summer is a great time to pick up some cherries. They are definitely in season right now. But how can you choose the best fruit? Read this article to find out the three different types of cherries and what to look for when buying them.

At my house right now, barely a day goes by without some little mouth covered with the pink juice stains of ripe cherries. I think I've probably spent hours cutting them up and removing the pits.

There are three types of cherries, and they aren't all best used for the same purposes.

The cherries that are being devoured with gusto at my house are sweet cherries. These cherries are wonderful eaten straight out of hand. A good example of sweet cherries are Bing Cherries. They are large, plump and easily found at the grocery store this time of year. when selecting sweet cherries, look for ones that are large, plump and firm. They should have a nice dark color and be free of blemishes or soft spots.

Sour cherries are the cherries of choice for pies, cobblers, tarts, sauces, soups and jams. Some varieties of sour cherries that are popular include Montmorency, Morello, and Early Richmond. Sour cherries are difficult to find fresh, because they don't transport very well, although I have seen them in the grocery stores. They are smaller than the sweet cherries, with a bright red color and a firm skin. If you can't find them in the grocery store, then your best bet is to find a local grower to to grow them yourself. Otherwise, you will have to resort to canned sour cherries or dried sour cherries (re-hydrate them in liquor).

Chokecherries are not so much sour as they are tart. While some people do eat them out of hand, they are probably best when they are used for preserves. They can be very delicious in that form.

Mary Ann Romans writes for the Frugal Living Blog here at Families.com, where she shares money saving tips for today's families. She also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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