Fruits · Sweet Cherry
How to pick a ripe Sweet Cherry
Green plump stems and a deep, glossy shine — dull skin or browning stems mean they're past their best
How to pick
Look for deep, even color for the kind you're buying — deep red to dark mahogany on dark cherries — with a bright natural waxy gloss. The shine is the intact wax layer that seals in freshness; dull skin means it has started to degrade. Check the stems: green, plump, and firmly attached means the cherries are fresh. Stems lose moisture far faster than the fruit itself, so a vivid green stem is the best leading freshness indicator at the store.
Red flags
- Stems yellowing or turning tan — the first visible sign the fruit is past its peak
- Pitting: sunken or discolored depressions on the fruit surface, especially the shoulders — impact bruising that will spread once the fruit is home
- Soft spots, tan-brown enlarging patches, or gray fuzzy growth — signs of brown rot or gray mold
How to store
Do not wash before refrigerating — free moisture promotes fungal growth. Refrigerate immediately at 32–36 °F (0–2 °C); home fridges typically run at 36–40 °F (2–4 °C), so store in the coldest spot (back of the lowest shelf). Best within 5–7 days of purchase. Do not leave at room temperature — cherries do not ripen after picking and will only deteriorate faster.
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Picking, storage, and freshness guidance is drawn from peer-reviewed postharvest research and agricultural extension sources. The sources are named in the app.