Buzz
When cherry season arrives, you’ll likely want to preserve some cherries to enjoy later when the season is over. Freezing is an excellent method to extend the shelf life of cherries.
Steps
Basic Washing and Freezing Method
Choose the right cherries. Select cherries that are ripe but not overripe, visually appealing, and free from bruises.
- Dark-colored cherries are ideal for freezing if you want to retain their sweetness.
Wash the cherries. Place the cherries in a colander. Rinse them under cold water and remove any small debris you might notice.
- Only use cold water to wash the cherries.
- You can now remove the pits and stems if desired.
Let the cherries dry. Ensure the cherries are completely dry before proceeding. Lay them out on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Gently pat them dry with another paper towel.
Arrange the cherries in a suitable container. If using a resealable freezer bag, pack the cherries tightly and remove as much air as possible without crushing them. If using a freezer-safe container with a lid, fill it with cherries and seal it properly.
Place the cherries in the freezer. Wait until the cherries are fully frozen. Leave a little space in the bag (if using this option) to account for expansion during freezing.
Remove cherries from the freezer as needed. Take out only the amount you plan to use. Return the remaining cherries to the freezer before they begin to thaw.
Remove the stems before using cherries for cooking. If you plan to use cherries for baking or other recipes, you’ll also need to remove the pits.
Freezing cherries with sugar syrup or fruit juice
This method involves freezing cherries with fruit juice or sugar syrup.
Select the cherries you want to freeze. You can remove the pits and stems at this stage. Place the cherries in a colander and rinse them under running water. Remove any visible debris.
Let the cherries drain. Lay them out on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Gently pat them dry with another paper towel.
Choose fruit juice or sugar syrup for freezing cherries. You’ll need enough liquid to fully submerge the cherries. Pour your chosen liquid into a freezer-safe container.
- The ratio should be 1/2 to 2/3 cup of sugar syrup or fruit juice for about half a kilogram of cherries.
- Leftover liquid from canned fruits like pineapple, peaches, or plums can also pair perfectly with cherries.
- Light syrup works well for sweet cherries, while medium syrup is better for tart cherries. For example, use 2.5 cups of sugar mixed with 4 cups of water for tart cherries and 1.25 cups of sugar with 4 cups of water for sweet cherries.
Add a small amount of ascorbic acid to the fruit juice or sugar syrup to prevent the cherries from browning.
Place the cherries into the mixture. Ensure all cherries are fully submerged in the syrup or juice; if not, add more liquid.
Seal the container tightly. Label it with the date and place it in the freezer.
Freezing cherries using a baking sheet method
Select the cherries. Choose plump, juicy cherries if you’re using this method.
Wash the cherries. Place them in a colander and rinse thoroughly under running water.
- Leave the pits intact. Avoid removing the stems until the cherries are fully drained.
Let the cherries drain. Arrange them on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Use another paper towel to gently pat them dry if you want to speed up the process.
- You can remove the stems at this point. It’s optional but can be done if preferred.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Arrange the washed cherries on the baking sheet. Cover the sheet with plastic wrap or a clean cloth. Freeze the cherries in the freezer.
Remove the cherries after freezing. Store them in a resealable plastic bag or a freezer-safe container. Try to remove as much air as possible from the bag or container.
- Label and date the container before returning it to the freezer.
Usage. You can enjoy the frozen cherries as they are or use them in recipes after removing the pits.
Freezing cherries with sugar (for tart cherries)
Select tart cherries for freezing. Wash and let them drain, removing any debris during the process.
Mix the cherries with sugar. Use 2/3 cup of sugar for approximately 1 kilogram of cherries.
- If using sweet cherries, reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup for the same amount.
Pack the cherries with sugar into a resealable bag or freezer-safe container, leaving about 1.5 cm of space at the top. Gently press to remove excess air if using a bag.
- Filling the container almost to the top while leaving a small gap helps minimize air exposure.
- Label and date the container or bag.
Place the cherries in the freezer.
What You'll Need
- Colander
- Resealable bags or freezer-safe containers with lids
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
