Did you know?
Did you know…?
- The Roman General Lucullus is said to have introduced cherries into Europe in 72BC, naming the cherry tree ‘Cerasus’ after a town of that name, now in Turkey.
- Broadway in New York shifts west at East 10th Street because a cherry tree once stood there.
- In 1912, Japan gifted cherry trees to America. Planted in Washington, their blooming has given rise to the world-renowned Washington Cherry Blossom Festival.
- The cherries from an average tree yield enough fruit to make 28 cherry pies.
- The world record for spitting a cherry pip – yes there truly is one – is 93ft 6.5 inches set by a Michigan resident in 2003.
- Cherries don’t ripen after harvesting.
How to store your cherries
- Cherries keep for up to 10 days if placed uncovered in the coldest part of your fridge.
- Preserve your cherries by rinsing them under cold water only when you’re ready to eat them.
- To make them last longer, avoid placing your cherries near windows, sunlit areas or warm spots in the home.
Follow these easy steps to freeze cherries
- Rinse fresh cherries under cold water and drain thoroughly.
- Spread cherries, complete with stems, in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Freeze cherries until firm, then pack frozen cherries into a plastic freezer bag or container. Remove excess air, seal and freeze, labelling each bag with the date you put them in the freezer.
- Remove your frozen cherries as needed, but be sure to return unused cherries to the freezer immediately.