We're proud to introduce one of the stars of the Chukar lineup: the gorgeous, golden, and incredibly sweet Rainier cherry.

If you've ever bitten into a fresh Rainier and felt like you were tasting pure summer, you already know what all the fuss is about. But there's a lot more to this cherry than its stunning good looks. From its origin story right here in Eastern Washington to its impressive nutritional profile, the Rainier is one of the most remarkable fruits grown in the Pacific Northwest — and we think it deserves a proper introduction.

Born Right Here in Prosser, Washington

The Rainier cherry has deep roots in our backyard. In 1952, researcher Harold Fogle at Washington State University's Agricultural Experiment Station in Prosser — the same town where Chukar Cherries calls home — crossed two well-known red cherry varieties, the Bing and the Van, to create something entirely new.

The result was a cherry unlike anything grown before: larger, sweeter, and with a golden-yellow skin blushed with pink that made it stand out in any orchard. It was named after Washington's most iconic landmark, Mount Rainier — the highest peak in the Cascade Range at 14,409 feet. A big name for a big cherry.

It's rumored that the original mother Rainier tree still stands in Prosser to this day.

What Makes a Rainier Cherry So Special?

At first glance, Rainier cherries are easy to spot. When ripe, they're a beautiful golden yellow with a rosy red blush on their shoulders. Inside, the flesh is pale cream-colored, firm, and finely textured — which means you get that satisfying sweet pop of juice with every bite.

What really sets Rainiers apart is their sugar content. Rainier cherries have some of the highest Brix levels of any sweet cherry variety, ranging from 17° to 23° Brix. To put that in perspective, that means up to one-fifth of each cherry is natural sugar. They're actually sweeter than dark sweet cherries like Bings, which is why they're considered a premium variety and why — fun fact — in Japan, a single Rainier cherry can fetch up to $5.

That sweetness comes with a lower acidity level than most cherries, giving Rainiers their distinctively mellow, honey-like flavor that's hard to find in any other fruit.

Why Are Rainier Cherries So Hard to Find?

If you've noticed that Rainier cherries disappear from grocery stores almost as quickly as they arrive, there's a good reason for that. Fresh Rainiers have a very short window — typically just a few weeks in late spring through early summer — and they're notoriously difficult to grow at scale.

Their thin, delicate skin bruises easily, which means they have to be hand-picked with extreme care. They're also a favorite target of birds, who can wipe out a significant portion of a crop before harvest. Growers go to great lengths to protect their orchards, hanging reflective tape from branches, draping large nets over entire trees, and even deploying trained falcons that fly overhead as a deterrent.

All of that extra care and attention is exactly why Rainiers are considered a premium cherry — and why we're so proud to work with local Eastern Washington growers to bring them to you year-round in dried form.

The Health Benefits of Rainier Cherries

Beyond their incredible flavor, Rainier cherries pack a solid nutritional punch. Here's what you get in a one-cup serving of fresh Rainier cherries:

Rainier cherries are a natural source of potassium, which helps balance fluid levels and supports healthy blood pressure. They also contain vitamins A and C to reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and boost collagen production. And like all sweet cherries, Rainiers contain melatonin — the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle — making them a great evening snack for anyone looking to wind down naturally.

Despite their high natural sugar content, Rainier cherries have a low glycemic index, meaning their natural sugars are released slowly into the bloodstream without causing a sharp spike in blood sugar.

National Rainier Cherry Day: July 11th

Did you know that Rainier cherries are the only cherry variety to have their own national holiday? National Rainier Cherry Day is celebrated every July 11th, right at the peak of cherry season in Washington State. It's a great excuse to stock up — and a reminder that fresh Rainier season is short, so you've got to enjoy them while you can.

How We Dry Rainier Cherries at Chukar

At our headquarters here in Eastern Washington, we work directly with local farmers to pick Rainier cherries at peak ripeness. They're delivered straight to our facility — often from orchards just a few miles down the road — and we get to work immediately.

We naturally air dry our Rainiers using a low-temperature process that owner Pam Montgomery pioneered over 30 years ago. The slow, gentle drying preserves the cherry's natural sweetness, enzymes, and nutritional benefits without any added sugar, oil, or sulfites. Most commercially dried fruit is loaded with added sugar and preservatives to extend shelf life and improve appearance. We've never done that, and we never will.

The result is an incredibly plump, flavorful dried cherry that tastes like summer in every handful. Our dried Rainiers are delicious straight from the bag, tossed into a bowl of yogurt or granola, scattered over a salad, or mixed into your favorite baked goods.

Try Our Rainier Cherry Collection

Whether you're a longtime Rainier fan or you're trying them for the first time, we've got you covered year-round:

• Dried Rainier Cherries — Our classic no-sugar-added dried Rainiers, naturally sweet and ready to snack.
• Organic Dried Rainier Cherries — USDA Certified Organic, naturally dried without any additives. A product you're genuinely not going to find anywhere else.
• Cherry Bundle — Can't decide? Our cherry bundle lets you explore Rainier alongside our other Washington State varieties.

Taste the cherry that put Prosser, Washington on the map. We think you'll love it just as much as we do.