Can you freeze cherries? Yes, you can. Cherries are cherished and have gotten a global use as toppings on yogurt, cake, cookies, pancakes, vegan salad, juice, wine, and many more recipes.
As a result, it has become important that you find ways to store them and keep them fresh. Moreover, they are perishable; and if left unpreserved, would spoil in no time.
This is why you should freeze your cherries, as they wouldn’t be able to serve a long-term purpose if they aren’t frozen and preserved properly.
If you aren’t sure how to properly freeze, or if you even can freeze your cherries, you need to read this article to the end. You will learn the procedures by which your cherries should be frozen and how they should be done.
What Are Cherries?
Cherries are a type of fruit that belongs to the genus prunus, which is fleshy, small, and round. They mostly come in bright or dark red colors and have different types.
Cherries come in several varieties. Sweet cherries are generally referred to as Prunus avium, while sour cherries are typically referred to as Prunus cerasus.
Some cherry varieties are simply named after their trees, such as the ornamental cherry or “cherry blossom” tree.
Types of Cherries
Dried cherries
These are dehydrated tart cherries that can be sold as sweetened and unsweetened in the grocery store. They are mostly used for cooking to give the dish a mild cherry fix.
Bing cherries
The heart-shaped bing cherry is a classic. Individually frozen, they’re great for baking and snacking. They’re also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Rainier cherries
Rainier cherries are easy to identify, thanks to their distinctive yellow-and-red flesh. Slightly sweeter than Bing cherries, they taste delicious on their own. Due to their short growing season, they can be pricey.
Montmorency cherries
Montmorency cherries are the most popular sour cherries in the US. You can typically find them frozen or canned as opposed to fresh. Classic sour cherry pies are made with this variety. They’re also used to make tart cherry juice.
English Morello cherries
Distinctive yet famous is the English Morello cherry. They can be sour to the taste, but you will find they are usually made into a light syrup.
Maraschino cherries
Maraschino cherries aren’t a special cherry variety, but rather refer to sweet, preserved cherries that have been dyed red. High-end brands like Luxardo skip the dye; so they’re darker in color. Maraschino cherries are a perfect finishing touch for ice cream sundaes and baked goods like tres leches cake.
Chelan cherries
This cherry look like Bing cherry in looks but are milder in taste. You must know that these cherries ripen early and are repellent to cracks and rips.
Amarena cherries
Bottled or jarred in syrup, these dark sour cherries are native to Italy and are delicious additions to cocktails and desserts such as ice cream and cheesecake.
Can You Freeze Cherries?
Yes, you can freeze cherries. Freezing cherries is an easy thing that must be done with a lot of attention while at it.
This is because you will have to take out the seed and wash, rinse, leave to dry, and then bag.
SEE: Can You Freeze Dates?
Can You Freeze Cooked Cherries?
Yes, you can. To do this, you need to have boiled the cherries, keep them out to cool off, and run and package like you would a noncooked cherry.
Can You Freeze Cherries With the Seeds in Them?
Yes, you can. However, it is recommended that you take out the seeds before freezing to avoid seed contamination of the cherry when stored for more than the desired period.
Why Should You Freeze Cherries?
You should freeze your cherries to extend their life shelf and keep them fresh. If you do not intend to eat your cherries within fivedays or less, then freezing them is the best option for preservation.
It allows it to retain its natural taste and can go up to 6 months without spoiling when properly packed.
SEE: Can You Freeze Mayonnaise to Extend Its Shelf Life?
5 Procedures You Should Follow to Freeze Your Cherries
When it comes to freezing your cherry, you need to be meticulous about it and be sure to have them stored properly.
One of the most common procedures you can use to freeze your cherries is to wash them, dry them gently with a paper towel, arrange them on a cookie sheet, and then place them in the freezer for several hours. Place the frozen cherries in Ziplock bags and return them to the freezer.
In addition, you can follow these steps once you have removed the pits from your cherries and have them rinsed and dried to get a holistic picture of how it is done.
- Wrap the baking sheet with a freezer paper.
- Soak cherries in water, especially if they are the rainier type, with a quarter cup of lemon juice for ten minutes to keep their vibrant color during the cold process.
- Expose cherries on the baking sheet and ensure to lay the cut side down to prevent it from rolling if they are halved.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow your cherries to freeze. You can also double the sheet if you want.
- If your cherries have frozen together in clumps, gently break the clusters apart before transferring them to a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container.
How to Thaw Frozen Cherries
Having frozen your cherries, a time will come when you need to take them out of the freezer to use. When this time comes, you must note the following:
- Your cherries will become softer after defrosting is completed, mainly because they have been frozen for a long.
- You must eat thawed cherries immediately because they have been preserved for a long time and would become mushy to the touch.
- If you would like to store thawed cherries still, then ensure they are kept in a container or bag that has a lot of space so they do not crush.
Understanding this important information will help you in thawing your cherries. However, thawing your cherries is easy once done perfectly.
To thaw your cherries, you should:
- Remove cherries from the freezer to rescind for a few hours, then put them into cold water. If cherries haven’t been in the freezer for up to six months, do not dip the cherries into the water but wait for them to defrost naturally.
- Another way to thaw your cherries is to place them inside a microwave-safe bag or bowl to defrost. This should be done within 30 seconds and not more.
- You can also thaw your cherries by transferring from the freezer to the fridge. This way they will defrost gradually but remain cool and fresh.
How Long Can You Freeze Your Cherries?
Cherries can last up to 6 months without losing their essence if preserved and frozen properly.
All you need to do is follow the proper procedure in freezing, and you will have your cherry looking good.
Pros and Cons of Freezing Cherries
Freezing your cherries is one great idea that would keep them fresh for a long time. Therefore, its pro outweighs its con.
Moreover, it is unlikely you will encounter any disadvantage when you freeze your cherries because freezing keeps them fresh and allows them to retain their natural taste.
The only issue you might face is if your freezer is faulty without your knowledge, which would lead to cherries losing their taste and becoming extremely sharp and sour.
SEE: Can You Freeze an Apple Pie?
FAQs
Do freezing cherries ruin them?
No, it does not. Freezing cherries add an extra-long shelf life than they would without being frozen.
In addition, you can also dry them out and have them kept properly to enjoy an even stronger flavor.
Do cherries freeze well?
Yes, they do. If you follow the procedure that has been written here, you should be rest assured to get a well-frozen cherry.
Are cherries healthy for you?
Yes, they are. A cup of sliced cherries gives you nearly half of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C and offers significant amounts of vitamin K and A as well.
Cherries also contain important minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Plus, cherries contain plant chemicals called phytochemicals that have been shown to help reduce inflammation and may help protect against certain diseases.
Can you eat cherries every day?
Even though they are highly nutritious and offer a host of health benefits, eating them every day wouldn’t be wise. Although you will not get health issues, it is still best not to overdo it.
Still, some people do this, especially when they are on a diet and want to keep their health up, knowing fully well that cherries can help reduce infection, enhance sleep, boost heart health, and speed recovery after exercise.
Conclusion
Cherries are a go-to fruit for anyone watching their waistline, thanks to their low-calorie count and high fiber content.
Moreover, they are affordable, easy to find at the store, and can be frozen without so much worrying about their lifespan.
Additionally, cherries are also good for the health and help the body’s metabolism to function correctly as it is packed with amazing nutrients. Therefore, you do not need to worry about the reduced nutrients due to freezing.
If you want to keep your cherries lasting for longer, use a proper freezing method and use your cherries whenever you need them.
Thank you for reading.
If you enjoyed reading this article, view Cheffist for more.
