From the well-known Rainier cherry to the lesser-known Tulare cherry, we’re covering 43 types of cherries in this guide to cherries!
Cherries are a sweet fruit that everyone loves. But did you know there are tons of different varieties (43 at least!)? So whether you’re a cherry lover or just curious about the types of cherries out there, we’ve got all the information you need right here!
43 Different Types of Cherries
- Acerola Cherry
- Amarena Cherry
- Amaretto Cherry
- Bada Bing Cherry
- Bing Cherry
- Black Cherry
- Blue Cherry
- Bourbon Cherry
- Brandied Cherry
- Chelan Cherry
- Chokecherry
- Cornelian Cherry
- Cowiche Cherry
- Dried Cherry
- Early Richmond Cherry
- Early Robin Cherry
- English Morello Cherry
- Evans Cherry
- Kordia Cherry
- Lambert Cherry
- Lapins Cherry
- Magenta Cherry
- Maraschino Cherry
- Meteor Cherry
- Montmorency Cherry
- Morello Cherry
- Nanking Cherry
- North Star Cherry
- Pin Cherry
- Queen Anne Cherry
- Rainier Cherry
- Regina Cherry
- Sand Cherry
- Santina Cherry
- Sato Nishiki Cherry
- Sour Cherry
- Spanish Cherry
- Sweet Cherry
- Sweetheart Cherry
- Tieton Cherry
- Tulare Cherry
- Turkish Sweet Cherry
- Van Cherry
Acerola Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Acerola cherries, also known as Barbados cherries or West Indian cherries, are small, bright red to orange-red fruits with a distinct tart flavor. These cherries are not related to the sweet cherries commonly grown in the United States. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions, including the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. Botanically, these are actually berries vs cherries, but hey bananas are also technically berries and strawberries are not.
Flavor and Best Uses for Acerola Cherries: These fruits have a tangy, citrus-like taste with a pleasant tartness. They are incredibly rich in vitamin C, making them popular for their health benefits. These cherries are often used to make juice, jams, and fruit purees. They can also be incorporated into smoothies, ice creams, and various tropical desserts. The tartness of acerola cherries provides a refreshing contrast to sweet dishes and beverages.
Amarena Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Amarena cherries, also known as Italian wild cherries, are small, dark, and intensely flavored cherries. They are typically grown in the Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont regions of Italy. These cherries are characterized by their deep red to almost black color and have a rich, sweet-tart flavor. Amarena cherry trees thrive in the temperate climate of northern Italy.
Flavor and Best Uses of Amarena Cherries: These cherries have a unique flavor that combines sweetness with a subtle bitterness. They are often used to make cherry preserves, syrup, or incorporated into various desserts like gelato, pastries, and co*cktails. Their intense flavor makes them a favorite choice for enhancing the taste of both sweet and savory dishes.
Amaretto Cherry
Description: Amaretto cherries are not a distinct cherry variety, but instead a popular alcohol-infused cherry. They are typically made from maraschino cherries. The cherries are pitted and then soaked in amaretto, a popular Italian liqueur known for its almond-like flavor. The cherries absorb the amaretto’s rich taste and aroma, infusing them with a distinctive sweetness and a hint of almond. This soaking process can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the desired flavor intensity.
Flavor and Best Uses for Amaretto Cherries: They have a sweet, nutty, and slightly tart flavor. The amaretto liqueur imparts a pronounced almond taste, which pairs nicely with the natural sweetness of the maraschino cherries. Amaretto cherries are most often used in co*cktails such as Amaretto Sours and Manhattans. In desserts, amaretto cherries are used to add a twist to ice cream sundaes, cakes, and pies. Their unique flavor can complement the richness of chocolate, enhance the sweetness of custards, or be a nice topping for cheesecakes.
Bada Bing Cherry
Description and Growing Area: The Bada Bing cherry is a type of dark sweet cherry. It is known for its deep red to almost black skin and juicy, sweet flesh. These cherries are grown in various regions of the United States, including California, Washington, Oregon, and Michigan. Bada Bing cherries thrive in regions with a cold winter chill, making them a popular choice for home gardeners and commercial orchards alike.
Flavor and Best Uses for Bada Bing Cherries: Their intensely sweet and rich flavor makes them perfect for snacking, making cherry pies, cobblers, and jams, as well as being a delightful addition to fruit salads and ice cream toppings. Their bold and luscious taste makes them a favorite for those who enjoy the classic cherry flavor. Try them in a cherry oat smoothie.
Bing Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Bing cherries are large, dark red to purplish-black cherries with a sweet and juicy flesh. They are primarily grown in the US Pacific Northwest, particularly in Oregon and Washington. Bing cherry trees require a specific climate with cold winters and mild summers to flourish. These are the cherries you are most likely to find at your grocery either fresh or frozen.
Flavor and Best Uses for Bing Cherries: Bing cherries are one of the most popular cherries due to their exquisite sweetness and delightful taste. They are often eaten fresh, added to fruit salads, or used in baking, such as in pies, cookies, and cobblers. Their juice is also popular for making beverages and cherry-flavored sauces.
Black Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Black cherries, also known as wild cherries or rum cherries, are small, dark purplish-black cherries that are grown in the eastern and central regions of the United States and Canada. Black cherry trees thrive in wooded areas and are commonly found in forests.
Flavor and Best Uses for Black Cherries: They have a bittersweet flavor with a slightly tangy undertone. They are often used for making jams, jellies, and liqueurs due to their rich, complex taste. Their most popular use, however, is probably in black cherry ice cream. Additionally, their wood is highly prized for its use in fine furniture and woodworking.
Blue Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Blue cherries are small to medium-sized fruit with a glossy, almost black skin that can sometimes appear deep purple. Blue cherry trees thrive in temperate climates and are often found in regions with cold winters and moderate summers.
Flavor and Best Uses for Blue Cherries: The deep, dark color of the skin often indicates a high sugar content, so they are often eaten as a snacking cherry. Their reliably sweet flavor also makes them ideal for jams, jellies, and preserves. Like other sweet cherry varieties, they are also frequently used in baking, such as in pies, tarts, and cobblers, as they maintain their shape and flavor well when cooked.
Bourbon Cherry
Description: Bourbon cherries, often referred to as co*cktail cherries, are a type of dark sweet cherry that has been soaked in bourbon or another spirit. These cherries are typically made from varieties like the Morello or Marasca cherry. They are not grown as a distinct cherry type.
Flavor and Best Uses for Bourbon Cherries: These flavored cherries are commonly used as a garnish in co*cktails like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan, adding a delightful burst of flavor to the drink. Additionally, they can be used in desserts, such as on top of ice cream, or as a flavorful addition to baked goods like brownies and cakes. The infusion of bourbon gives these cherries a rich and complex taste that enhances the overall flavor of the dish or co*cktail.
Brandied Cherry
Description: Brandied cherries are similar to bourbon cherries but are soaked in brandy instead. They are typically made from dark sweet cherries, but there is no set rule with this.
Flavor and Best Uses for Brandied Cherries: They have a luscious, sweet, and slightly boozy flavor due to the infusion of brandy. They are often used in co*cktails and desserts to add a rich, complex taste. They pair well with classic co*cktails, like the Brandy Alexander, and can be used in sweet treats such as brandied cherry chocolate truffles and fruit tarts. You can easily make your own by soaking any pitted cherry in your favorite brandy.
Chelan Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Chelan cherries are a modern sweet cherry variety known for their large size and bright red color. They were developed by Washington State University, and are primarily grown in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Washington State. Chelan cherry trees flourish in the region’s climate, which provides the necessary chilled hours for proper fruit development. Cherries are, after all, a bit of a finicky fruit about their climate.
Flavor and Best Uses for Chelan Cherries: These are sweet cherries with a crisp texture, making them a popular choice for snack eating. They are also often available either canned or frozen.
Chokecherry
Description and Growing Area: Chokecherries are small, dark red to purple-black cherries that grow on bushes or small trees in various parts of North America. They are found in regions with a cooler climate, such as the northern United States and Canada. Chokecherries are not typically eaten fresh due to their astringent and bitter taste.
Flavor and Best Uses for Chokecherries: These are known for their sour and bitter taste, which is not well-suited for fresh consumption. Instead, they are often used to make jams, jellies, and syrups. They can also be used in baking, particularly in pies, and as a flavoring agent in sauces or beverages. Chokecherries are also used in some traditional ingredients in Native American cuisines and have cultural significance among some tribes.
Cornelian Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Cornelian cherries are not true cherries but are often called so just because they look like cherries. These small, bright red to dark purple fruits are more closely related to fruits from dogwood trees.
Flavor and Best Uses for Cornelian Cherries: The flavor of Cornelian cherries is tart and slightly astringent, so not surprisingly they are rarely eaten fresh but more commonly used in preserves, jams, syrups, or even in a liqueur.
Cowiche Cherry
Description and Growing Area: The cowiche cherry was developed at the Washington State University in 2007, and is a sweet cherry variety known for its large, dark red to almost black, juicy fruit. The Cowiche cherry is primarily grown in the Yakima Valley region of Washington state where the climate is ideal for sweet cherry cultivation.
Flavor and Best Uses for Cowiche Cherries: Cowiche cherries are sweet and have a delightful, rich flavor. They are typically enjoyed fresh as a delicious snack and are also used in various desserts like pies, tarts, and cobblers. They are a good option for canning and preserving, too.
Dried Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Dried cherries, as the name suggests, are cherries that have been dehydrated, typically made from sweet cherry varieties.
Flavor and Best Uses for Dried Cherries: They have a very concentrated, sweet-tart flavor, and are most commonly eaten as a snacking fruit, in granola bars, trail mix, on salads, and in baked goods. While they are a convenient and healthy snack, they are very calorie-dense.
Early Richmond Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Early Richmond cherries are sour or tart cherries native to Europe, but grown heavily in Kansas and Illinois. They are small, bright red, and very tangy. They are known for their early ripening, making them one of the first cherry varieties to be harvested during the cherry season.
Flavor and Best Uses for Early Richmond Cherries: Due to their sharp, tangy taste they are typically considered too sour to be eaten fresh. They are more commonly used in cooking and baking, especially for making pies, jams, jellies, and sauces. They can also be used in drinks like cherry lemonades.
Early Robin Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Early Robin cherries are another early-ripening sweet cherry variety. They are medium-sized, with a dark red to black color when fully ripe. Early Robin cherries were discovered, apparently as a natural hybrid, in the early 1990s by Mr. Robin Doty.
Flavor and Best Uses for Early Robin Cherries: They are sweet and juicy, making them great for snacking, but they work equally as well in fruit salads, or as a topping for desserts like ice cream and yogurt.
English Morello Cherry
Description and Growing Area: This is a sour cherry known for its distinctive deep red to almost black color. They are typically smaller than sweet cherries and have a tart, tangy flavor. These cherries are widely cultivated in various parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom. The English Morello cherry tree is hardy and can tolerate colder climates, making it a popular choice for gardeners in regions with temperate weather.
Flavor and Best Uses for English Morello Cherries: They are known for their sour, acidic taste, making them a favorite for cooking and baking. They are commonly used in making cherry pies, preserves, and cherry-based sauces. Additionally, they can be used to make cherry liqueurs and are a key ingredient in making traditional British dishes like cherry crumble or cherry compote.
Evans Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Evans cherries are a sour cherry variety, with bright red to dark red fruit. These cherries are known for their ability to withstand harsh climates and can be found growing in regions with cold winters, such as Canada and the northern United States.
Flavor and Best Uses for Evans Cherries: Their pleasantly tart flavor is less intense than the English Morello cherry but sufficient to limit their use as a snacking cherry. They are great for making preserves, jams, and pies. They can also be used in baking, lending a pleasant tartness to cherry tarts and muffins.
Kordia Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Kordia cherries are a dark, almost black sweet cherry variety with a glossy skin. They are typically plump and larger in size than other cherry varieties. Kordia cherry trees thrive in moderate climates and are commonly grown in Europe, particularly in countries like Germany and Poland.
Flavor and Best Uses for Kordia Cherries: They have a rich, sweet sugary flavor making them a good snacking cherry, but they are also used in various culinary applications. These cherries are ideal for desserts like cherry crumbles and as a topping for ice cream. They can also be transformed into cherry preserves, sauces, and compotes.
Lambert Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Lambert cherries are a sweet cherry variety with a dark red to almost black skin. They are medium-sized and have a juicy, tender flesh. These cherries are often grown in the northern states of the USA.
Flavor and Best Uses for Lambert Cherries: These are cherries with a sweet, succulent taste. They are excellent for eating fresh, in fruit salads, or baking. Cherry pies, cobblers, and crisps are all good uses for them.
Lapins Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Lapins cherries are sweet cherries with dark red to mahogany-colored skin. They are a relatively large cherry variety and are known for their plump, juicy fruit. Lapins cherry trees are often cultivated in regions with mild winters in both North America and Europe.
Flavor and Best Uses for Lapins Cherries: Their large size makes them easy to pit and you get more pulp per pitting making these good for baking. Their sweet and juicy flavor also makes them perfect for making cherry jams, compotes, and cherry-based sauces for savory dishes like roast meats or grilled poultry.
Magenta Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Magenta cherries, also known as pink cherries, are small to medium-sized cherries distinguished by their vibrant, deep pink-to-red color. Magenta cherries are native to Australia but can flourish in many tropical climates which makes them unusual as most cherries thrive in regions with a cold winter and mild summer.
Flavor and Best Uses for Magenta Cherries: These have a sweet-tart flavor similar to sour cherries. They are commonly used in baking, making jams, and as a decorative element in co*cktails and desserts. These cherries are especially popular for garnishing co*cktails due to their eye-catching color.
Maraschino Cherry
Description: Maraschino cherries are a type of cherry that undergoes a preservation process, typically involving soaking in brine and then sweetening. They are usually made from Royal Ann cherries which are plump, firm, and bright red.
Flavor and Best Uses for Maraschino Cherries: They have a very sweet, almost candied flavor. They are most commonly used as a garnish for co*cktails like Shirley Temples, milkshakes, and desserts like ice cream sundaes and cakes.
Meteor Cherry
Description: Meteor cherries are a dark red to black variety of sweet cherries with a golden flesh. They are relatively small to medium-sized and known for their deep, rich color and juicy flesh.
Flavor and Best Uses for Meteor Cherries: Meteor cherries have a sweet, succulent flavor. While they are excellent for fresh consumption, their super power is their ability to hold their shape well when cooked. This makes them a great cherry to use in pretty much any baking recipe. Their dark color also makes them visually appealing for desserts.
Montmorency Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Montmorency cherries are a popular sour cherry variety. They are bright red and typically smaller than sweet cherries. They are widely grown in the United States, particularly in Michigan and the Pacific Northwest, and are the most popular sour cherry in the US.
Flavor and Best Uses for Montmorency Cherries: They are tart and acidic, making them ideal for pies, jams, and preserves. You will typically find them canned or frozen, and not often fresh. They are also used in beverages, like tart cherry juice or added to co*cktails, to provide a tangy flavor.
Morello Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Morello cherries are typically small in size, ranging from 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter. They are known for their dark red to almost black skin and flesh. The trees bearing Morello cherries are hardy and well-suited to a wide range of climates, making them an adaptable choice for gardeners and orchard owners. Morello cherry trees can thrive in temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are often cultivated in countries like Germany, Hungary, and the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast regions.
Flavor and Best Uses for Morello Cherries: The defining characteristic of Morello cherries is their tartness. They have a bold, tangy flavor that sets them apart from sweet cherries. Morello cherries are frequently used in baking, where their zesty taste can balance the sweetness of desserts. They are commonly used in making pies, tarts, and crisps, as well as in preserves, sauces, and jams.
Nanking Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Nanking cherries come from small, deciduous shrubs that produce small, bright red to orange-red cherries. They are native to Asia but have been cultivated in North America as well. These cherries are often grown as ornamental plants as well as for their fruit.
Flavor and Best Uses for Nanking Cherries: They have a sweet-tart flavor, similar to sour cherries but with a slightly nutty undertone. They are suitable for making jams, jellies, and wine. The fruit is sometimes enjoyed fresh, but their tartness lends them best to cooking or baking. These cherries can definitely make you pucker.
North Star Cherry
Description and Growing Area: The North Star cherry isa small and typically bright red. They are primarily grown in colder regions of North America, such as the Northern United States and Canada.
Flavor and Best Uses for North Star Cherries: They are known for their tartness, making them less suitable for eating fresh but perfect for cooking and baking. They are ideal for making cherry pies, preserves, and cherry-flavored sauces due to their intense sour flavor.
Pin Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Pin cherries are small, bright red fruits closely related to sweet cherries. They are native to North America and can be found in various parts of the United States and Canada. They are not a commercially cultivated variety, so you have to forage for these.
Flavor and Best Uses for Pin Cherries: They have a sharp, astringent flavor, making them less palatable for fresh consumption but suitable for making jams and jellies. They are also used for making cherry wines and as a food source for wildlife.
Queen Anne Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Queen Anne, also known as Royal Anne cherries, are a sweet, red to yellow cherry variety. They are often found in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Oregon and Washington State. These cherries are relatively small and heart-shaped, and they have a dark, almost black skin when ripe.
Flavor and Best Uses for Queen Anne Cherries: They are known for their sweet and juicy flesh, making them excellent for eating fresh. They are also popular in desserts like cherry tarts and can be used for canning or making cherry compotes. Their super power, however, is that they are one of the primary varieties used in making maraschino cherries.
Rainier Cherry
Description and Growing Area: The Rainier cherry is a premium, golden-yellow cherry with a pink blush. It was developed in Washington State as a hybrid between bing and Van cherries. Rainier cherries are typically larger in size and have a distinct appearance due to their unique yellow color.
Flavor and Best Uses for Rainier Cherries: Rainier are known for their exceptionally sweet flavor. They are a great snaking cherry, but can also be used in fruit salads, desserts, or paired with cheese on a charcuterie board. The unusual golden color of Rainier cherries makes them perfect as a garnish for desserts and drinks.
Regina Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Regina cherries are a variety of sweet cherries known for their deep burgundy to almost black color. They are primarily grown in European countries, particularly in Germany, where they originated.
Flavor and Best Uses for Regina Cherries: They have a rich, sweet-tart flavor, and are excellent for fresh eating as well as use in baking, making cherry preserves, or adding a burst of flavor to salads and sauces. They are also often used for making cherry liqueurs and brandies. Regina are a great commercial variety as they store longer than most cherries improving export options.
Sand Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Sand cherries, often found in dry, sandy areas, are from small, low-growing shrubs. They produce small, round, dark purple to black cherries with a distinct tartness. These cherries are native to North America and are found in regions with well-drained, sandy soil, such as parts of the Great Plains and the Midwest. There are three sub-varieties of sand cherry to include: Western sand cherry, Eastern sand cherry, and Great Lakes sand cherry.
Flavor and Best Uses for Sand Cherries: They have a tart and slightly astringent flavor, making them less suitable for fresh consumption. Instead, they are often used in making jellies, jams, and desserts like cobblers.
Santina Cherry
Description and Growing Area: The Santina cherry is a sweet cherry variety known for its dark red to almost black skin and sweet, juicy flesh. These cherries are primarily grown in areas with a Mediterranean climate, such as California and parts of Europe.
Flavor and Best Uses for Santina Cherries: They have a rich, sweet flavor with a hint of tartness. They are delicious for eating fresh and can also be used in baking, cooking, and making jams or preserves. Santina cherries are also routinely used on cheese and charcuterie boards as their taste complements many types of cheese well.
Sato Nishiki Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Also known as the Satonishiki cherry, this is one of the most popular varieties of sweet cherries grown in Japan. Sato Nishiki cherries are recognized for their large size and striking deep red to almost black skin, which gives them a visually appealing and glossy appearance.
Flavor and Best Uses for Sato Nishiki Cherries: Sato Nishiki cherries are renowned for their sweet and succulent taste. They have a juicy texture and a rich, sugary flavor with subtle notes of tartness. The balance of sweetness and slight acidity makes these cherries perfect for eating fresh. Their intense juice can be used to create flavorful cherry sauces, jams, or preserves.
Sour Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Sour cherries, also known as tart cherries, are typically smaller and rounder than sweet cherries. They have a bright red skin and are known for their intense tartness. Sour cherry trees are commonly grown in North America (heavily in Michigan), Eastern Europe, and parts of Asia, with a preference for cooler climates.
Flavor and Best Uses for Sour Cherries: As the name suggests, sour cherries have a tangy and tart flavor. They are commonly used in baking, especially for making pies, tarts, and preserves. They are, understandably, less commonly eaten fresh.
Spanish Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Spanish cherries are a type of sweet cherry that is commonly grown in Spain. They are medium-sized with a light red, almost orange skin over an unusual egg-shaped fruit.
Flavor and Best Uses for Spanish Cherries: They have a sweet, rich, and somewhat tangy flavor that some say is almost apricot like. They are excellent for eating by the handful and spitting the pits across the lawn.
Sweet Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Sweet cherries are one of the most popular cherry varieties, known for their large size and delicious, juicy flesh. They typically have a heart-like shape, are firm to the touch, and come in various colors, such as deep red, yellow, and black. Sweet cherries thrive in temperate climates and are grown in many regions across the world, including the Pacific Northwest, parts of Europe, and some parts of Asia.
Flavor and Best Uses for Sweet Cherries: As the name suggests, sweet cherries are sweet and succulent with a mild, almost candy-like flavor. They are perfect for snacking, adding to fruit salads, making pies, and preserving as jams and jellies. Basically, you can use them for any purpose that doesn’t require a sour cherry. Try your own homemade cherry yogurt popsicles. You don’t even need molds.
Sweetheart Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Sweetheart cherries are a specific cultivar of sweet cherries. They are a deep red to nearly black variety with a distinct heart shape, making them visually appealing. They were developed at the Summerland Research Station about 30 years ago, and are typically grown in regions that support sweet cherry cultivation, like the Pacific Northwest.
Flavor and Best Uses for Sweetheart Cherries: These cherries are known for their firm texture and a balance between an initial burst of sweetness and a mildly tart aftertaste. They are great for eating fresh, adding to salads, or baking, whether in pies, tarts or as a topping for cakes and pastries.
Tieton Cherry
Description and Growing Area: The Tieton cherry is a sweet cherry variety that originated near the Tieton River in Washington State. It is a dark red, large cherry with a slightly elongated shape and a firm and juicy texture. They are predominantly grown in the Yakima Valley of Washington State, where the climate is ideal for sweet cherry production.
Flavor and Best Uses for Tieton Cherries: They are known for their mild sweetness, making them a delicious choice for fresh eating and in fruit salads. These cherries are also suitable for use in desserts like pies and cobblers, as well as for making preserves and cherry-based sauces.
Tulare Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Tulare cherries are a variety of sweet cherries related to the bing cherry, and are known for their large, dark red, heart-shaped fruit, and glossy appearance. Tulare cherries are primarily grown in California’s Central Valley.
Flavor and Best Uses of Tulare Cherries: They are exceptionally sweet and tart, so they are often eaten by the handful. Their firm texture and rich, sweet flavor also makes them well-suited for baking into pies, cobblers, and preserves.
Turkish Sweet Cherry
Description and Growing Area: Turkish sweet cherries, also known as “Kara Vişne” in Turkish, are a small to medium-sized cherry variety with a deep red to almost black color. They are grown primarily in Turkey, particularly in the regions of Izmir, Bursa, and Mersin. These cherries thrive in the temperate climate of Turkey, benefiting from cold winters and mild summers. They are often handpicked to ensure the best quality. You won’t likely find these in the United States outside of perhaps a good international market.
Flavor and Best Uses for Turkish Sweet Cherries: These cherries are intensely sweet and juicy. They have a rich, aromatic flavor with a subtle tartness, making them ideal for eating fresh. In Turkey, they are commonly used in various desserts like cherry compotes, jams, and baklava. Turkish sweet cherries are also used in cherry liqueurs and preserves due to their sweet and succulent nature.
Van Cherry
Description and Growing Area: The Van cherry, also known as the Van Lake cherry, is primarily grown in the Van province of eastern Turkey. The region’s unique climate, with its cold winters and hot summers, is ideal for the cultivation of cherries. The fruit is small to medium-sized and has a bright red to dark red skin.
Flavor and Best Uses for Van Cherries: They are known for their intense tartness and vibrant, tangy flavor. They are typically too sour to be eaten fresh but are perfect for cooking and preserving. These cherries are commonly used in making sour cherry pies, tarts, jams, and sauces. If you have ever had the pleasure of a stop in Turkey, you know the wonders they do with fruit in pastries and desserts. Add Istanbul to your bucket list.
