Cherries

June— Mid August

Cherry lovers are in for a great treat because the Washington sweet cherry industry is a rapidly growing industry, which saw a record crop in 2003. Ideal weather conditions, new varieties and an extended season saw the crop reach 9 million boxes for the first time in history. Excellent quality, an abundance of large cherries and wonderful flavor were the keys for a successful season of great eating fruit. The remarkably sweet Rainier cherry with its beautiful yellow skin and red blush also experienced a wonderful growing year, leaving consumers clamoring for more. The cherry season will begin again I June of 2004 so make sure your taste buds are ready.

Seasonality

Washington Cherries remain one of the true seasonal fruits. Available from early June - mid August, you can enjoy sweet Washington cherries for three months fresh out of hand or prepared in a various assortment of recipes. However you best enjoy cherries, be sure to enjoy them to their fullest during the peak of their season

Recipes

Search our recipe database. From desserts to entrees, the Northwest Cherry Grower's web site has a recipe for everyone and every occasion.

Producers

For a complete list of Washington cherry shippers, please visit www.nwcherries.com.

Fun Facts/Did You Know

  • Washington State produces more than 50% of all the sweet cherries in the United States.
  • The Rainier cherry, which is yellow with a red blush, was made from a cross between two dark red cherries, the Van and Bing.
  • Americans eat approximately 2.6 lbs. of cherries per year.
  • There are approximately 53-pitted cherries in one pound of cherries.
  • The Bing cherry, by which all cherries are measured against, was first developed in 1874 in Milwaukie, Oregon.
  • The Bing cherry was named after one of Seth Lewelling's workers. The bing cherry was developed by Seth Lewelling.
  • Washington cherries are shipped around the world; the top 3 foreign markets are Canada, Taiwan and Japan.

Production Statistic

  • In 2001, there were 29,000 acres of sweet cherries in the state.
  • The two largest producing areas are Yakima and Wenatchee in Eastern Washington. The Wenatchee area and north to Canada is usually the number one volume area in the state.
  • Two of the last three cherry years have produced record crops.
  • The Washington cherry season begins in late May with some product seen at Farmer's Markets. Commercial shipping begins around June 5th and will continue until mid-August. The peak of the season runs from June 20th to August 1.

Product Features

Washington sweet cherries are noted for three items, their flavor, their sweetness and their size. When searching for cherries look for cherries with smooth skin, green stems and no leaking.

Varieties

There are several cherry varieties; the key dark sweet varieties are Bing, Lambert, Sweetheart, Lapins and Chelan. The key yellow-fleshed variety is the Rainier Cherries. Washington also produces a 'stemless' cherry, when harvested; the stem simply remains on the tree. These cherries are noted to be a bit sweeter and larger in size based on the fact that they stay on the tree a few days longer than your conventional cherry. Washington organic cherries are also growing in acreage and importance; in 2003 we had a record organic cherry year with more than 2,000 tons in production. This chart has more variety information.

Food Safety

Refrigerate your cherries immediately after purchase. Cherries can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for several days. Avoid placing cherries in the sun or warm areas, they may go limp quickly.

Contact:

WASHINGTON STATE FRUIT COMMISSION
105 South 18th Street Suite 205,
Yakima, Washington 98901
Phone (509) 453-4837 - Fax (509) 453-4880

News

Last Call for Cherries