Rainier cherries are a special summer treat if you can manage to get them. These yellow heart-shaped cherries are shaded with a blush in shades of orange, pink, and red. A cross between Bing and Van cherries, these are an American-bred fruit developed at Washington State University in 1952. And yes, they are named after Mount Rainier.
What’s so special about Rainier cherries?
Rainier cherries are super sweet with low acidity. The fruit has a floral flavor with notes of peach and a caramel finish. Unlike their dark red counterparts, Rainier cherry juice is non-staining, so you can snack to your heart’s content without worrying about ruining your clothes.
Sounds like the perfect summer fruit! But of course, there’s a catch. These cherries are only available in limited quantities for a short season. The harvest takes place from late spring through early summer, about 6-7 weeks. Every year, birds destroy around 1/4 to 1/3 of the crop, making the fruit even harder to come by. Naturally, this drives up the price and makes Rainier cherries quite expensive. In fact, in Japan, individual cherries can range from $1 to $5 in price.
These cherries are so special, they even have their own day. July 11th is National Rainier Cherry Day because it falls during peak harvest. To celebrate this day, the Northwest Cherry Growers of the Washington State Fruit Commission give one chef in each state $400 worth of cherries to experiment with. This way restaurants across the country can feature the cherries on their menus for the holiday.
Where to Buy
We have the best rainier cherries at the best price. Become a seller by joining the Airmart reseller network, or purchase cherries for your home or restaurant. To order, book a call with us here.
How to Eat Rainier Cherries
Rainier cherries are so sweet and delicious that most people like to savor them on their own as a snack. If you want to join in the National Rainier Cherry Day festivities by creating your own cherry-based dishes, here are a few ideas:
- Classic cherry pie
- Cherry tarts
- Cherry cobbler
- Cherry-infused cocktails
- Bruschetta topped with goat cheese or ricotta and cherries, drizzled with balsamic vinegar and honey
- Cherry-topped ice cream sundae
- Fruit salad with cherries, peaches, apricots, citrus, and vanilla
- Chocolate-dipped cherries
- Vintage cherry cake
- Pickled cherries
Find more specialty fruits on Airmart this summer: