Preservingfoods:: Oregon State University Extension Service

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY Extension Service
PreservingFoods:
SP 50-883, Revised July 2015

Cherries have been eaten and enjoyed since prehistoric times. They were probably cultivated first
in Asia Minor but people enjoyed the wild fruit long before that. Cherry pits have been found in
Stone Age caves in Europe and prehistoric cliff dwellings in America.
Cherries can be divided into two main groups: sweet and sour. The sweet varieties come in dark
or light colors. Bing, Lamberts, Van, Black Republican and Black Tartarian are common varieties of
dark cherries. Royal Ann and Rainer are popular light sweet cherries. Sweet cherries are great
eaten fresh, canned, dried and brandied. Popular varieties of sour cherries are Montmorency,
North Star and Meteor. Sour cherries are used in pies, cobblers, jam, jellies, preserves, and sauces
and also dried.
Selection and Handling

Cherries should have a bright, glossy plump appearance and fresh-looking stems. Avoid soft cherries or
any with brown discoloration. With the exception of the light sweet cherries, dark color is the best
indication of good flavor. Handle fresh cherries carefully. They will last longer fresh if stems are left on
and the cherries are refrigerated.
Canning
It will take 2 to 2 ½ pounds of cherries for each quart of canned fruit desired.
Wash and stem cherries. Remove pits if desired or can with pits in. Cherries may be canned in
water, sugar syrup, or juice such as apple or white grape. For a 9-pint load use the following
proportions:
Type of syrup Cups water Cups sugar
Very light 6½ ¾
Light 5¾ 1½
Medium 5¼ 2¼
Heavy 5 3¼
Hot Pack
In a large sauce pan, add ½ cup water, juice or syrup for each quart of cherries. Bring to a boil. Pack
heated cherries into jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Fill jars with hot liquid to ½ inch from top. Remove
air bubbles with a plastic knife. Wipe rim, adjust lids and process in a boiling water canner. Pints: 15
minutes (0-1,000 feet), 20 minutes (1,001-6,000 feet), 25 minutes (over 6,001 feet); Quarts: 20 minutes
(0-1,000 feet), 25 minutes (1,001 – 3,000 feet), 30 minutes (3,001 – 6000 feet), 35 minutes (over 6,001
feet). After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid and wait 5 minutes before removing jars .
Raw Pack
Add ½ cup hot water, juice, or syrup to each jar. Fill jars with drained cherries, shaking down gently as
you fill. Add more hot liquid, leaving ½-inch headspace. Wipe rims and adjust lids. Process in a boiling
water canner. Pints and quarts: 25 minutes (0-1,000 feet), 30 minutes (1,001- 3,000 feet), 35 minutes
(3,001-6,000 feet), 40 minutes (over 6,001 feet). After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid
and wait 5 minutes before removing jars.
Cherry Pie Filling
1 Quart 7 Quarts
Fresh sour cherries 31/3 cups 6 quarts
Granulated sugar 1 cup 7 cups
Clear-Jel ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp. 1¾ cups
1
Cinnamon (optional) /8 tsp. 1 tsp.
Cold water or fruit juice*** 11/3 cups 1
9 /3 cups
Almond extract (optional) ¼ tsp. 2 tsp.
Red food coloring (optional) 6 drops ¼ tsp.
Bottled lemon juice 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. ½ cup
***Using a cherry or berry juice in place of water will make for a fruitier flavored filling.
Rinse and pit cherries. Combine sugar, Clear-Jel, and cinnamon (if desired) in a large saucepan.
Stir. Add water or juice, almond extract, and food coloring (if desired). Stir mixture and cook over
medium high heat until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Add lemon juice and boil 1 minute,
stirring constantly. Fold in cherries. Fill quart jars, leaving 1 inch headspace. Process immediately:
30 minutes (0-1,000 feet), 35 minutes (1,100-3,000 feet), or 40 minutes (3,001-6,000 feet). After
processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid and wait 5 minutes before removing jars.
Freezing
Cherries – Sweet
Dark cherries are best for freezing. Wash, stem and pit if desired. Cherries can be frozen
individually on a cookie sheet and then repackaged into freezer bags or containers. They can also
be frozen in syrup or juice pack. Add ascorbic acid to syrup or juice mix to help prevent browning.
Seal, label and freeze.
Frozen Cherry Snack Pack
Leave stems and pits in cherries. Wash and air-dry cherries. Place on cookie sheet and freeze until
solid. Remove from freezer and package small freezer bags or small snack sized freezer
containers. Label and refreeze. Eat while still frozen. Note: May be packaged without stems.
Cherries – Sour
Select bright red, tree ripened cherries. Wash, stem and pit. Pack cherries into freezer containers
and cover with sugar syrup or fruit juice. Cherries can also be sprinkled with sugar. Let sit for 15
minutes to make its own juice and pack into freezer containers. Seal, label and freeze.
Drying
Both sweet and sour cherries are great for drying. They can be used as a snack or in baked
products and fruit soups. Sour cherries can be rehydrated for pies and cobblers.
Select fully ripe fruit. Wash, stem and pit. Large cherries can be cut in half for drying.
Place on dehydrator screens and dry until pliable and leathery with no pockets of moisture.
Jams, Jellies, and Preserves
Both sweet and sour cherries make excellent jam, jellies and preserves. There are many excellent
recipes in pectin packages and home canning books for both regular and low sugar spreads.
Source: OSU Master Food Preserver Program
© 2015 Oregon State University. OSU Extension Service cooperating. OSU Extension Service offers educational programs,
activities, and materials without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age,
marital status, disability, or disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status. OSU Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.

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OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY Extension Service

SP 50-883, Revised July 2015

Selection and Handling

Source: OSU Master Food Preserver Program

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