Cherries are a delicious summer fruit that many people enjoy eating fresh. However, cherries can be quite expensive when purchased at peak ripeness from the store. Often times store-bought cherries are underripe and firm. This leaves many wondering if it’s possible to ripen cherries after purchasing them.
What determines when cherries are ripe?
Cherries ripen on the tree. The ripening process begins when the cherries start to change color from green to red, yellow, or black depending on the variety. As the cherries ripen, they become softer, juicier, and sweeter. Cherries reach their peak ripeness when they are fully colored and have a deep, shiny appearance.
Cherries do not continue to ripen significantly after being picked from the tree. Some additional ripening may occur, but the changes will be subtle. Once harvested, cherries are essentially suspended at whatever ripeness level they were at when picked.
What happens to store-bought cherries?
Commercially grown cherries are picked before they are fully ripe so they can withstand being shipped to stores. Cherries are very delicate and bruise easily, so underripe cherries hold up better to transport. Depending on the variety, cherries may be picked up to 7-14 days before reaching ideal eating ripeness.
By the time cherries arrive at grocery stores, they may have ripened a little more in transit but are often still firm and tart. Stores then rely on the short residual ripening window to allow cherries to finish ripening on display shelves.
Can you ripen store-bought cherries at home?
It is possible to ripen firm, underripe store-bought cherries to a certain extent at home. But there are some important factors to consider:
- The residual ripening window is limited – Cherries that are already commercially ripe have a short 1-3 day window left to ripen further. You cannot drastically speed up or extend this window.
- Improvements will be modest – Cherries will likely soften slightly and become a little juicier and sweeter, but don’t expect dramatic changes.
- Ripening requires certain conditions – Keep cherries loosely stored in the refrigerator in a breathable container. Cold temperatures prevent overripening.
- Damaged fruit won’t improve – Any bruised, crushed, or moldy cherries will not get better; remove those before storing.
Tips for ripening store-bought cherries
Follow these guidelines to help ripen firm store-bought cherries:
- Select the firmest, most under ripe cherries possible. Ripe cherries won’t improve further.
- Inspect cherries and remove any damaged fruit. Discard any moldy, bruised, or crushed cherries.
- Gently wash cherries right before eating. Avoid soaking them.
- Pat washed cherries dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel.
- Store loosely in a shallow breathable container like a colander or bowl covered with a paper towel.
- Place container of cherries on a refrigerator shelf. Cold temps prevent spoilage.
- Let cherries sit in the fridge 1-3 days. Check daily and remove any new damaged fruit.
- Enjoy cherries once they reach desired ripeness. Refrigerate any uneaten portion.
The cold environment of the refrigerator will help firm cherries gradually soften and sweeten. Just don’t expect dramatic improvements in 1-2 days. Check daily and consume cherries once they reach better eating quality.
Other ways to handle under ripe cherries
If your cherries don’t seem to be ripening sufficiently at home, here are some other options:
- Use in cooking: Firm cherries work great in baked goods like pies, tarts, muffins, and cakes. Cooking helps soften them up.
- Make a compote: Simmering cherries in a syrup mixture helps break down their texture so they taste sweeter.
- Pickle or preserve: Tart cherries are ideal candidates for being pickled, canned, frozen, or dried.
- Blend into smoothies: Mix cherries into fruit smoothies and frozen drinks to mask firm texture.
Ripening cherries at home takes some patience. But with proper storage conditions, you can coax a little extra sweetness and softness out of under ripe store-bought cherries.
What causes cherries to ripen?
The ripening process of cherries is triggered by natural plant hormones called ethylene and abscisic acid. As the cherries mature on the tree, levels of these hormones increase, initiating changes within the fruit:
- Skin color develops as chlorophyll breaks down.
- Texture softens as pectin and cell walls degrade.
- Sugars accumulate and acidity declines, increasing sweetness.
- Aroma and flavor compounds accumulate.
Exposure to ethylene gas can hasten ripening. But most cherries are picked commercially before internal ethylene levels fully peak. Once picked, the ripening process essentially stalls and cannot be restarted.
Why store-bought cherries are often underripe
Growers intentionally harvest cherries before maximum ripeness for several reasons:
- Shelf life – Unripe cherries last longer after picking than ripe ones.
- Transportability – Firm cherries are less perishable and hold up better to shipping.
- Peak timing – Cherries need to be shipped while still improving to meet retail demand.
- Storage conditions – Cold storage prevents overripening during transport.
Although not as enjoyable for immediate eating, under ripe cherries arrive at stores in better condition. Retailers rely on the short residual window to ripen them.
How long do cherries take to ripen on the tree?
Cherries go through several stages of development before becoming ripe for harvest:
- Initial fruit set – Occurs 2-3 weeks after bloom. Small green fruits are visible.
- Pit hardening – About 5-7 weeks after bloom, pits become hard and fruits enlarge.
- Color change – Fruits begin changing from green to red, yellow, or black 8-10 weeks after bloom depending on variety.
- Ripening – Fruits slowly soften and sweeten over 1-3 weeks as pigments and sugars develop.
- Harvest – Maximum ripeness occurs 11-15 weeks after bloom depending on type.
The entire growing process for cherries, from initial flowering to harvest, takes about 3-4 months. Actual ripening takes place gradually over the last 2-4 weeks on the tree.
Optimal conditions for ripening cherries
These factors help cherries ripen most effectively on the tree:
- Sunlight – Exposure to ample sunlight ensures good color, flavor, and sugar development.
- Warm days – Daytime high temps of 65-85°F allow cherries to ripen properly.
- Cool nights – Nighttime lows around 45-65°F help brighten red pigments.
- Adequate water – Consistent moisture is needed a few weeks before harvest for fruit growth.
- Low humidity – Drier conditions prevent fruit cracking and disease issues.
- Nutrients – Fertilizing trees in early spring supplies nutrients for fruit growth.
Getting the right balance of warm sunny days, cool nights, and proper irrigation is key for cherries to ripen successfully on the tree. Hot, humid weather can negatively impact quality.
Is ethylene effective for ripening cherries?
Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that controls many aspects of fruit ripening. Treatments with external ethylene are sometimes used commercially to hasten the ripening process:
- Ethylene generated from fuels is injected into storage chambers.
- Ethylene-releasing compounds are sprayed directly onto trees.
- Mature green fruit may be harvested and exposed to ethylene gas.
However, ethylene is not very effective at further ripening picked cherries. Cherries show minimal response to ethylene compared to fruits like bananas, avocados, and tomatoes. Once harvested, additional ethylene exposure provides little ripening benefit.
How temperature affects cherry ripening
Temperature strongly influences the ripening rate and final quality of cherries:
- Warm days – Accelerates ripening on the tree and improves flavor and color.
- Cool nights – Slows down ripening and maintains fruit acidity and color.
- Cold storage – Greatly slows ripening enzymes and deterioration after harvest.
- Chilling injury – Sustained temps below 45°F damage texture, flavor and appearance.
Growers monitor temperatures closely both in orchards and after harvest to balance accelerated ripening on trees with extended shelf life after picking. Proper cold chain management is key.
Indicators that cherries are ripe
Use these cues to identify peak ripeness for cherries:
- Skin color is fully developed, smooth and shiny.
- Flesh yields slightly when gently pressed.
- Fruit separates easily from stem with a light twist.
- Quality and flavor are at their peak.
- Aroma is strong and fruity.
- High sugar content and low acidity.
Ripe cherries should have vivid, bright coloration. Avoid any shriveled, dull or bruised fruit. Enjoy cherries immediately after picking or purchasing for best quality.
How long do fresh cherries last?
The shelf life of fresh cherries depends on ripeness stage and storage conditions:
- On the tree: 7-14 days once ripe.
- Refrigerated: 1-3 weeks if unwashed and dry.
- Cold storage: Up to 1 month if kept between 32-45°F.
- On display: 3-7 days with proper refrigeration.
- Countertop: 1-3 days max, keep refrigerated.
Ripe cherries are highly perishable. Eat cherries as soon as possible for best flavor and texture. Discard any moldy or damaged fruit immediately.
Common causes of cherries not ripening
Here are some reasons why cherries may fail to ripen properly:
- Picked prematurely before reaching maturity.
- Cold damage during bloom disrupts fruit set.
- Insufficient sunlight due to shade, clouds or fog.
- Excess nitrogen fertilization promotes foliage over fruit.
- Drought stress reduces fruit growth and ripening.
- Tree health issues such as diseases, pests, or nutrient deficiencies.
Environmental factors, cultural practices, and tree health all play key roles in successful cherry ripening. Identifying and correcting any issues is important.
Conclusion
Ripening cherries to ideal eating quality relies on natural processes that occur while fruit is still on the tree. Commercial harvest timing often means store-bought cherries are not fully ripe.
While it is possible to improve the ripeness of firm cherries somewhat after purchase, the window for further ripening is quite limited. Proper refrigerated storage can help tenderize texture and develop sugars in under ripe cherries over 1-3 days.
For best results, allow cherries to ripen naturally on the counter at room temperature for no more than a day. Consume right away once they reach desired softness and sweetness. Rely on other preparation methods like cooking if cherries do not seem to be getting ripe enough. With patience and proper handling, store-bought cherries can ripen further to become more enjoyable.