Our Flavorful Summer favorites

Growing conditions in SunnySlope are perfect for growing dark sweet cherries. These cherries are large in size, super sweet and deep dark red in color. The most well-known variety is the Bing, but Lapins and Tieton varieties also produce these firm flavorful summer favorites. Symms Fruit Ranch also grows the highly sought-after Rainier cherry. The Rainier has gained popularity due to its sweet candy like flavor and has a yellow skin with pink blush and yellow flesh. Symms Fruit Ranch cherries can be found in grocery stores across the state and across the nation. Some are even shipped as far as Taiwan!

The Idaho cherry season is short beginning in late June and ending just 4 short weeks later – so make sure to get your fill of delicious cherries while they are available. Dark sweet cherries are best eaten fresh, but can be pitted and frozen for a sweet winter treat. They are also great in homemade ice cream! Pies are usually made with a different variety – tart red cherries – but you can find recipes that use these sweeter varieties that are grown locally.

When buying, look for cherries that are plump, shiny, firm and skins show no wrinkling. Once home, store in the refrigerator and only wash them just before eating. Cherries can last almost a week if kept cool and dry.