Cherries are one of the healthiest and most delicious of fruits. They’ve been used as a remedy for thousands of years. So during the all too short cherry season in the Summer it’s worth getting as many as possible of these lovely little fruits. Here’s some tips on to how to pick, store and cook them.

How to buy cherries

• If you’re after cherries to make jam and preserves then look for ripe, slightly soft ones. If you want to use them in a salad, or even in a cake, make sure they are firm and a bit crunchy when you bite on them.
• If you’re buying them at a market, ask for a sample! It should be succulent & sweet! If you buy them in a punnet, inspect them carefully and try to make sure there are no mouldy ones, as this quickly affects the whole batch. Also, they should be plump and glossy – not dull, bruised or soft.
• The darker the cherry, the higher its nutritional value! Furthermore, the fresher they are, the higher their nutrient content!
• If you can, buy cherries with their stems still attached as they will last longer! But make sure the stems are green, not brown – the latter indicates that the cherries are not fresh.

How to store cherries

• They will keep longer if you store them chilled. So put them in a container or plastic bag and put this into the fruit & veggie section of your fridge. Before you store them, inspect each piece for mould.
• Cherries can be frozen and they will not lose their nutritional value! Wash and stone them, then put them in a plastic bag or container and freeze. These are perfect for the winter season and for baking!

How to use cherries

Cherries are very rich in nutrients, especially vitamins and minerals. See thehealth benefits of cherries>>. But they are most healthy when eaten raw. So try to consume them uncooked – here are  a few tips how:

• Make fruit salads or just snack on them during the day – do wash them beforehand and do not drink water after eating lots of them (otherwise your tummy will hurt!)
• Make smoothies: just blend them (stoned) with milk/almond milk and other fruits such berries. It’s absolutely delicious!!! Or just juice them!
• Make cherry yoghurt: blend a handful of stoned cherries with natural yoghurt. Add some honey or agave syrup if it’s not sweet enough!
• Frozen cherries can be used in cocktails or as snacks. You can even dip them in melted chocolate before freezing – and you’ll get some scrumptious little treats for the winter!
• Make ice cream or pops: add some stoned cherries to vanilla or chocolate ice-cream or make frozen yoghurt, sorbet and ice lolly pops. Here is acherry ice lolly recipe>>
• Put them in summer cocktails!
• Poach or soak cherries in port, brandy or wine – this can make a lovely dessert with ice-cream or custard, or use them in a trifle.
• Serve pancakes with chocolate sauce and fresh cherries (or with brandy-soaked cherries).Pancake with cherry sauce>>
• Use chopped fresh cherries mixed with cream as a filler in a cake!
• Dip cherries in chocolate and put them in the fridge to firm up!
• Fresh cherries complement green salads and they go rather well with pate and goat’s cheese (perfect on bruschetta) !

How to cook cherries

Unfortunately during cooking most of the vitamins deteriorate. Nevertheless cherries are perfect for desserts, cakes and preserves.

• Cherries make yummy jam, chutney, compotes, pickles and syrups!
• Cherries are the basis of the classic clafoutis, but also make a wonderful ingredient for pies, crumble & cobbler, cakes, muffins, brownies and trifle. You can use fresh or frozen versions for most of these.
• Cherries go particularly well with almond, chocolate and cinnamon. Try thisbrownies and cherries recipe>>
• You can add cherries to roast meats – they go well with duck, goose, pork and lamb. You can also add them to vegetable & salad dishes (for example couscous or tagine) .
• In Middle Europe and in the Middle East cherries and sour cherries are used to make chilled soups.
• Dried cherries are perfect for cakes and desserts (particularly during the winter festivities) or good supplement in breakfast cereals, porridge, cereal bars and so on.
• Candied cherries are used to decorate cakes, delicacies and cocktails and they are one of the most an important ingredients of the Christmas cake!
• Cherries are used to make brandy, liqueur and schnapps.

Read more aboutcherries>>