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Plump, sweet cherries are one of lifes quiet but great pleasures. Eating a bowlful at a sitting is not difficult. Cherry season flies by in summer, and though it is distressingly brief, these glorious little stone fruits are becoming increasingly more available during the winter months thanks to imported produce. Thats why carrying home a bagful of cherries feels decadent, and it makes sense that all of us would want to store them properly so that we enjoy them for as long as possible.
To that end, whats the best way to store your cherries? Should they be refrigerated or left on the counter? And, perhaps even more importantly, when we do spot cherries at the store, how do we go about choosing good ones?
Keep ’em cold! Cherries will spoil quickly if left out at room temperature, so you should pop them in the refrigerator immediately upon getting home from the grocery store. Once in the fridge, cherries can last for about a week.
What’s the Right Way to Store Cherries?
While it may be tempting to display a beautiful bowl of cherries on a countertop (or in another photo-worthy spot), that is the worst way keep these precious fruits fresh. At room temperature, cherries deteriorate quickly: They will remain plump for just a couple of days before losing their sheen and turning flaccid. Instead, keep the cherries in the refrigerator. They are curiously impervious to being stored uncovered, so you do not have to wrap or seal them—in fact, if you do keep cherries tightly sealed, moisture will accumulate and this will hasten their demise.
If a bowl is unwieldy in your refrigerator, store the cherries in an uncovered and more ergonomic container in a crisper drawer. An open bag will also work just fine. Whatever you do, dont place anything else on top of them: These beauties need to breathe. Kept uncovered and dry, cold cherries will keep fresh for at least a week, and sometimes much longer.
When Should You Wash Cherries?
Do not wash your cherries before storing them in the refrigerator: The moisture that lingers in the hollow at their stem-ends (which are difficult to dry thoroughly) will encourage mold or rot. Before transferring them to the refrigerator pick them over and remove any fruit that is damaged. If the cherries have stems, do not remove them until you are ready to eat the fruit.
Do be sure to wash your cherries before eating them—but only just before. They are usually sprayed and a thorough washing will help. Swoosh them in a large bowlful of cold water, rubbing their skins with your fingers. Then rinse them in a colander under a running tap.
Should fresh cherries be refrigerated?
FAQ
How do you keep Bing cherries fresh?
How long can cherries sit out at room temp?
Do Bing cherries go in the fridge?
Should cherries be stored in an airtight container?
Can cherries be refrigerated?
Do not wash your cherries before storing them in the refrigerator: The moisture that lingers in the hollow at their stem-ends (which are difficult to dry thoroughly) will encourage mold or rot. Before transferring them to the refrigerator pick them over and remove any fruit that is damaged.
Is it safe to eat fresh cherries?
It is safe to consume fresh cherries. You should always check they are in good condition, free of fungus, and wash them well.
How long do cherries stay fresh?
An open bag will also work just fine. Whatever you do, don’t place anything else on top of them: These beauties need to breathe. Kept uncovered and dry, cold cherries will keep fresh for at least a week, and sometimes much longer.
Should you wash Cherries before storing them?
This means that washing fresh cherries before storing them can accelerate the spoiling process. Instead, wait to wash them with cold water until right before you eat them or use them in a recipe. If you have enough space in your fridge, transferring your cherry haul to a wide and flat storage container is best.