Vibrant, shiny, and tiny cherries are the perfect pop-in-your-mouth snack in the summertime. Chewing into their juicy flesh–minding the pit, of course–is the perfect punctuation between bike rides, a swim at the beach, or a before-dinner treat. Now that they’re in season, read on for how to buy and store these one-bite stone fruits and check out the slideshow below for our favorite recipes.
HOW TO BUY
Cherries should be shiny, plump, and firm. Sour cherries and Bing cherries can range from a bright, vibrant red to an almost black-purple. Rainier cherries range from whitish-yellow to an electric red, and are very sweet. Stems should be fresh and light in color. Avoid sticky or soft cherries.
HOW TO STORE Loosely cover and refrigerate unwashed cherries for no more than one week.