Which Cherries Are Sour?

Imagine this: You’re standing in the grocery store or in front of a stand at the farmer’s market. You have a recipe printed out and gripped in one hand and countless baskets and bags of cherries in front of you. Some are yellow, some are red, and others are so dark that they’re almost black. There’s a lot to choose from -- but you need sour cherries. So which cherries are sour?

What is a Sour Cherry?

Sour or “tart” cherries are smaller and more acidic. There are many strains to choose from, but there are a few varieties that are most commonly found on the market.

The most popular is the Montmorency cherry, grown from the Amarelle cultivar. They’re bright red in color (cherry red, dare we say?) and grown to carry a lot of anti-inflammatory properties, along with an abundance of antioxidants.

Morello cherries are darker, with colors ranging from crimson to near-black. Their hue could be mistaken for their sweeter counterparts, but their flavor is entirely their own. They’re tangy, and even though they may sweeten as they ripen, they hold onto that distinct sour taste.

Using Sour Cherries

When you’re trying to decide which cherries are sour, more often than not it’s because you’re gathering ingredients for a recipe. Tart cherries are ideal for baking, as they allow you to better control the sugar content in any baked good. They can also be used in jam, juice, or savory dishes for a unique tartness.

Knowing which cherries are sour can also allow you to take advantage of their health benefits. Tart cherries are ripe with potassium in every cup. Drinking tart cherry juice is a good chaser for your daily workout, as it promotes muscles to rebuild.

Sour cherries are more than fodder for pies. They have the potential to enrich your life in so many other ways.