The Story of Tart Cherries: A Look at Their History, Flavor, and Tradition
Tart cherries have been part of American food culture for generations. Known for their bright red color and distinctive flavor, these cherries have long been enjoyed fresh, dried, and in juice form. Their culinary versatility and rich heritage have made them a staple ingredient in many homes and recipes.
Interest in tart cherries expanded in the mid-20th century, when stories began circulating about people incorporating cherries more regularly into their meals. One frequently retold account is from the 1950s. A doctor who shared his personal experience of eating cherries and choosing to explore them further. His curiosity eventually led him to conduct a small informal survey of people who enjoyed cherries as part of their everyday diet. His write-up appeared in Prevention Magazine and helped bring wider public awareness to cherries at a time when little was known about them outside of baking and cooking.
As attention grew, researchers became more interested in the fruit itself — not for medical purposes, but for understanding its place in American agriculture and food culture. This curiosity led to several early nutritional studies examining cherries simply as a fruit: their color, their natural compounds, and how they fit into a typical diet. These studies focused on the nutritional makeup of cherries, much like studies performed on blueberries, grapes, and other deeply colored fruits.
Tart Cherries in Modern Food Culture
Today, Montmorency tart cherries — especially those grown in Michigan — are widely appreciated for a variety of reasons:
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Their bright, bold flavor
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Their deep red color
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Their popularity in pies, sauces, snacks, and beverages
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Their long agricultural heritage in the Great Lakes region
Tart cherry juice concentrate, dried cherries, cherry capsules, and cherry powders have become common ingredients in kitchens across the country. Many people enjoy adding them to smoothies, trail mixes, baked goods, or simply as a flavorful drink.
Fresh tart cherries remain a seasonal favorite, particularly during the summer harvest. Michigan has become known for producing high-quality tart cherries, and their availability has helped support local growers and family farms for generations.
Cherry Products You Can Enjoy Year-Round
Traverse Bay Farms offers a wide range of cherry-based foods crafted from Montmorency tart cherries:
- Dried tart cherries
- Fresh, Michigan-grown tart cherries – Available during the summer cherry harvest.
- No-added sugar dried cherries
- Cherry capsules
- Tart cherry powder
- Maraschino cherries
- Traverse Bay Farms Home Page
Make sure to check out our website to see all of the Montmorency, Michigan cherry products we offer. Learn how to buy 100% pure tart cherry juice.
Learn more about Cherry Juice Health Benefits Ranked