Sweet cherries

In season in SW Michigan

In season Peak

Months from the Michigan Farm News (Michigan Farm Bureau). Weather shifts dates a little each year.

Key nutrients

%DV uses FDA Daily Values for adults and children 4+. Values are USDA lab averages scaled to the serving; your harvest may differ.

Wellness

A cup of pitted sweet cherries has about 97 calories, 11 mg of vitamin C (12% DV) and 3.2 g of fiber (12% DV). That makes it a good source of vitamin C and fiber. (USDA) The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says the body needs vitamin C to make collagen, which helps wounds heal, and that vitamin C improves absorption of iron from plant foods and helps the immune system work properly. (NIH ODS) Harvard's Nutrition Source says fiber, especially the insoluble kind, helps food move through the digestive system, and soluble fiber may help lower cholesterol. (Harvard)

Pick, store and use

• Pick

  Choose cherries that aren't bruised or damaged. (MSU Extension)

• Store

  Refrigerate at 41°F or below. Wash under cool running water, with no soap. (MSU Extension)

• Freeze

  Freeze them pitted or whole. If you pit them and pack in syrup, MSU suggests adding ½ teaspoon of ascorbic acid per quart of syrup to keep the color. (MSU Extension)

Where to get it nearby

• Apple-A-Day FarmBangor · Van Buren Co. U-pick
• Crane OrchardsFennville · Allegan Co. U-pick
• Jollay OrchardsColoma · Berrien Co. U-pick
• Lehman's OrchardNiles · Berrien Co. U-pick
• Lemon Creek Fruit Farms & WineryBerrien Springs · Berrien Co. U-pick
• Orchard Beach FarmQuincy · Branch Co. U-pick

See all 13 farms with cherries →

Farms whose listing mentions sweet cherries or just “cherries”. Check with the farm before you go.