How to Wash Cherries: 4 Tips for Washing and Storing Cherries

Nearly all fresh fruits—including organic produce—require some degree of washing to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and accidental chemical ingestion. There are four main ways to clean cherries and other fruits to make them safe for consumption.

1. 1. In a white vinegar solution: To quickly clean fresh cherries from the grocery store or farmers market, fill a large bowl with cold water and add one cup of white vinegar. Let the cherries soak for fifteen minutes. The vinegar will kill microorganisms and remove residual pesticides. Rinse the cherries in a colander under cool, running water. Gently dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel.
2. 2. In a baking soda solution: You can make a DIY fruit and vegetable wash by mixing baking soda with cool water, which works remarkably well as a pesticide remover. Use a ratio of one part baking soda to one hundred parts tap water, or roughly half a teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of water. Soak your cherries in this solution for fifteen minutes. Remove the cherries, transfer them to a colander, and rinse them in clean water for a minute. Pat them dry with a clean towel and they are ready to serve.
3. 3. Under plain running water: If you don't have time to soak cherries in a solution, simply run them under some tap water for a minute. While the water may not clean produce quite as well as a white vinegar or baking soda bath, it will knock out the majority of pesticides and microbes and make your cherries safe to eat.

Keep these key tips in mind as you wash and store cherries.

1. 1. Wash cherries in cool water. When cold fruits and veggies get exposed to hot water, they can actually absorb bacteria. Cool or cold water is more appropriate for washing produce like grapes, nectarines, cucumbers, berries, and fresh cherries.
2. 2. Avoid washing cherries in dish detergent. Dish detergent is not safe to consume and even the most diluted solutions may still leave residue on your fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s best to avoid using a diluted bleach solution to clean your cherries as well.
3. 3. Wash your hands before washing your cherries. While you shouldn’t use soap to wash fruits, it is a good idea to wash your hands before you clean fruit to prevent the transfer of unhealthy microbes.
4. 4. Store cherries in airtight containers. Cherries can last a long time in your refrigerator when stored in an airtight glass container, plastic container, or plastic bag. Many grocery stores sell cherries in zippered plastic bags, which can work well for storage. You will note that such bags do not have air holes (unlike the bags for grapes), which indicates that cherries last longer in an airtight environment.

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