27 Sweet and Sour Cherry Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between tart cherries and sweet cherries? ›

Tart cherries are bright red in color while sweet cherries tend to be darker red and sometimes even purple. Sweet cherries are also larger than tart cherries. Now, you probably already guessed another difference, the taste! Sweet cherries are obviously sweeter, as they contain more naturally occurring sugars.

When you bake with sweet cherries, the sugar is so high without acidity to balance it out so the flavor is one-note, and sometimes too sweet. “Sour cherries also have a supple texture,” said senior editor Andy Baraghani, “They fall apart, they give in more than firm sweet cherries.

Montmorency are some of the most popular types of sour cherries due to their overwhelming versatility.

The cherry on top of eating cherries? The fruit may help with your sleep. With high amounts of melatonin, studies have shown that it can help with increased sleep time and overall sleep efficiency. You'll also find vitamin A, vitamin C and magnesium in cherries, making it a good option to incorporate into your diet.

The article suggests that tart cherries, such as the Montmorency cherry, contain higher amounts of antioxidants, which may have an effect on gout symptoms and flare-ups. Black cherries are typically sweeter, so they may contain lower levels of antioxidants.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Studies show that tart cherries can help reduce the pain and stiffness that come with arthritis and other joint pain disorders.

It was similar to sugar content in other sour fruit, for example, cornelian cherry, in which total sugars in the fruits were 4.1–16.4% [14,15] and less than in sweet cherries, where 7.7–26.5% of total sugars was determined [16,17,18].

While sweet cherries are best eaten raw, sour cherries usually need to be cooked before eating. Unless you are using presweetened dried sour cherries, plan on cooking them. Unlike the sweet varieties, which lose flavor when cooked, the sour cherry comes into its full flavor after it has been heated.

One thing you should note: Rainier cherries have some of the highest sugar levels of any other sweet cherry ranging from 17-23 Brix. They have a golden yellow flesh with a red tinge (they almost look as if they are blushing from just how sweet they are.)

Sour cherries are believed by experts to be native to Eastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. The fruit trees have been found growing in the Caucasus Mountains between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea and were created through a natural cross between Prunus avium and Prunus fruticose cherries.

What is a sour cherry called in English? ›

Prunus cerasus (sour cherry, tart cherry, or dwarf cherry) is a species of Prunus in the subgenus Cerasus (cherries), native to much of Europe, North Africa and West Asia. It is closely related to the sweet cherry (Prunus avium), but has a fruit that is more acidic. Its sour pulp is edible.

Michigan produces about 75% of the total United States tart cherry crop. Utah grows about 8%, New York 5% and Wisconsin 4%. There are also tart cherries grown in Washington, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

This may be because cherries are high in sugar. However, while fruit does contain a lot of sugar, it also has fiber that won't impact digestion as much (via Medical News Today). In fact, eating cherries before bed may actually help you get better sleep.

Cherries Can Have a Laxative Effect

“Cherries contain sorbitol and xylitol, both of which are sugar alcohols,” Deborah Cohen, DCN, associate professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University, told Health. “When consumed in large amounts, they can have a laxative effect.”

What are the side-effects of cherries? If you have a sensitive stomach, then excess consumption of cherries may lead to diarrhea, gas, or bloating. Moreover, eating too many cherries can also lead to allergic reactions. Experts also warn that people with diabetes should consume cherries cautiously.

When substituting sweet cherries for tart varieties, decrease the amount of sugar in the recipe and add a little lemon juice. Cherries are among the first fruit trees to ripen, usually in early July, and the season is short, so stock up and prepare to freeze extras.

Tart cherries have virtually no fat and no sodium. “Tart cherries have 19 times as much vitamin A and beta carotene as strawberries and blueberries!” By Dr. Alice Jo Rainville. This variety of nutrients in tart cherries translates into good nutrition.

Rainier cherries have a sweet, floral flavor well suited for fresh preparations. The fruit's juicy flesh can be consumed straight, out of hand, or it can be tossed into salads, used as a topping over pancakes and desserts, or stirred into acai bowls.

Rainier. Let's start with a classic. One thing you should note: Rainier cherries have some of the highest sugar levels of any other sweet cherry ranging from 17-23 Brix.