Can you eat overripe cherries?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question “Can you eat overripe cherries?” and discuss their shelf life. We will discuss how to properly store them and whether it is a good idea to freeze them. We will also discuss how to tell if cherries have gone bad.
Can you eat overripe cherries?
Yes, you can eat overripe cherries as long as they do not have any signs of spoilage and have not spoiled. Fresh, ripe cherries are shiny and bright and a little firm while overripe cherries can have wrinkly skin, dull color and soft or mushy texture.
As long as there is no mold, and no signs of them being otten, they are safe to eat. However, the texture may not be appealing to many so in that case, it is best to use them to make other things such as smoothies, jams, desserts, sauces and purees.
Overripe cherries can go bad quickly since mold can grow on them so it best to use them as soon as possible. You can even freeze them to slow down the spoiling process.
How long do cherries last?
The shelf life of cherries depends on how you store them. You can store them on the countertop or in your pantry away from heat, direct sunlight and moisture where they will last for 2 days maximum.
If you want to extend their shelf life, consider storing them in the fridge. Depending on when they were picked or how ripe they were when you bought them, they can last for 5 to 10 days.
You can also freeze the cherries to make them last a couple of months.
How to properly store cherries?
You can store cherries on the countertop, in the pantry or in the fridge depending on how soon you plan on eating them. As mentioned above, cherries last for only 2 days when placed at room temperature. So if you plan on eating the cherries within two days, then go ahead and place them on the countertop.
Keep them away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture so that they do not get spoiled.
If you have bought more cherries that you can not eat within two days, or have bought them in advance, then consider storing them in the fridge. Keep the stems on and make sure they are dry before storing them in the fridge.
You can also freeze the cherries so that they last much longer.
To do this, lay whole cherries in a single layer over a sheet pan and freeze them until they are solid. Once they have frozen, transfer them into a freezer safe bag and then place them back into the freezer.
Is it ok to freeze cherries?
As explained above, freezing the cherries will extend their shelf life. However, once you thaw them, their texture might get altered and may not be enjoyable. So in that case, you can use them in cooking or baking. You can also use frozen cherries to make smoothies without thawing them.
Learn how to thaw frozen cherries here.
How to tell if cherries have gone bad?
It is important to rule out spoiled cherries before consuming them to avoid getting sick. Here’s how you can tell if the cherries have gone bad.
- Look for any discolorations on the cherries. Black or brown spots and bruises indicate that the cherries have gone bad.
- Look for any growth of mold. Such cherries should be thrown out immediately.
- Inspect the texture of the cherries. Overly mushy cherries agave spoiled.
- Spoiled cherries would also have wrinkly or sunken skin.
- Look for any infestation of insects or worms as well.
- Sometimes, you may be able to tell if the cherries have gone by the way they smell. If they are rotten, they may also have a very bad odor.
Other FAQs about Cherry that you may be interested in.
Where does cherries come from?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “Can you eat overripe cherries?” and discussed their shelf life. We discussed how to properly store them and whether it is a good idea to freeze them. We also discussed how to tell if cherries have gone bad.
Citations
https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-use-up-overripe-fruit-58183
http://shelflifeadvice.com/content/how-can-i-tell-if-fresh-cherries-are-overripe-andor-going-bad
https://gobadornot.com/cherries/