The ingredient library
Cherry
Juicy stone fruit with flavours ranging from sweet to distinctly tart. Begin with the cherry type, then choose the preparation.
Sweet or tart is the first question.
Cherry is a broad starting point. Sweet cherries and tart, or sour, cherries bring different balances to food and drink. Look for the type named on the pack rather than choosing by colour alone. The dark sweet cherries in this illustration show one expression of the fruit.
Find your format.
Fresh cherries
Enjoy the flesh on its own or in a simple fruit bowl. Remove stems and stones before using cherries in a blended or chopped preparation.
Frozen or dried
Check whether the fruit is pitted and whether anything has been added. Follow frozen-fruit preparation directions and check pitted fruit for remaining stone fragments.
Juice or concentrate
Read whether the label specifies sweet cherry or tart cherry. A concentrate needs its own dilution instructions; it is different from a ready-to-drink blend.
A place to start.
Identify the cherry
Start with the variety or type on the label. Choose a recipe intended for sweet or tart cherries so the flavour balance makes sense.
Wash and remove the stones
Wash fresh fruit just before use. Remove stems and stones, checking each piece before adding the flesh to a blender or dish.
Taste before sweetening
Try a little of the prepared fruit with your chosen pairing. Adjust only after tasting the whole combination.
Keep the type with the name.
A cherry illustration cannot identify the fruit used in a drink. The ingredient list and maker's description are the useful starting points for choosing a particular blend.
What to look for.
Look for sound fruit
Choose firm cherries without bruising. Handle them gently and refrigerate fresh fruit until needed.
Read the fruit description
Keep sweet cherry and tart cherry distinct when comparing products. Ask the maker if the ingredient information leaves the type unclear.
Choose for your preparation
Fresh fruit, dried pieces and juice concentrate have different textures and uses. Follow the directions for the exact product.
Find a moment for it.
Bring the ingredient into an ordinary part of your day.
Explore products with cherry.
Read the full ingredients and preparation details on each product.
Keep exploring.
Juicy flesh, smooth skin and a balance of sweetness and acidity. Discover plums fresh, gently cooked or in a prepared fruit blend.
Small berries with a sweet-tart flavour. Enjoy their texture fresh, or explore the different character of cooked fruit and prepared blends.