Bing Cherries
Bing cherries come to us from the Pacific Northwest and are beloved for their wonderfully sweet, rich flavor.
Scientific Binomial Name: Prunus avium
Selection Information
Usage:
Eating fresh, mixed in with yogurt, toppings, cooking, sauces, juiced, preserves and jams, dried and added to oatmeal or trail mix, and in salads. Bing cherries are perfect for desserts like cherry pies, tarts, and crumbles.
Selection:
Good-quality Bing cherries will be large, firm and have even deep-red coloring. They should taste sweet and delicious.
Avoid:
Avoid cherries that are soft, have wrinkled skin, are leaking and sticky or that have any visible signs of decay. Immature cherries will be smaller and less juicy while over-mature product will be soft, dull and wrinkled.
Storage:
Place unwashed Bing cherries in a plastic bag and store in a refrigerator. When you pull cherries from the refrigerator to eat, wash them and let them sit until they come to room temperature to bring out their full flavor. Fresh Bings can be frozen to extend their storage time. Just remember to remove the pit first or else your cherries will be infused with an almond-like flavor.
Seasonal Information
Cherries are available in the U.S from mid-June to mid-August with the peak in June.
Washington is the largest Bing supplier with cherries also grown in Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, and imported from Canada and Chile.
Bing Cherry Nutritional Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 cup (140g)
Amount Per Serving
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Source: PMA's Labeling Facts
Bing Cherries are very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. They're also a good source of Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C.
Bing Cherry Tips & Trivia
- The Bing Cherry was developed in the 1870s by Oregon horticulturist Seth Lewelling and his Manchurian Chinese foreman Ah Bing, whom the cherry is named after.
- Bing cherries have high levels of anti-oxidants.