The Ultimate Guide to Types of Cherries: A Sweet Guide to Sweet & Tart Varieties

Cherries are more than just a tasty summer treat—they come in a vibrant array of types, each offering unique flavors, textures, and uses in cooking. Whether you're a foodie, a gardener, or just a cherry lover, understanding the different varieties will help you choose the perfect cherry for your palate or garden. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the most popular types of cherries, from sweet dessert varieties to tart sour sorts, and their best culinary and agricultural applications.

What Are Cherries?

Understanding the Context

Cherries belong to the genus Prunus, family Rosaceae, and are prized for their juicy, often sweet or tart fruit. While English cherries (Prunus avium) are closely associated with significance and celebration, sweet cherries (Prunus × sternutaria and Prunus avium) dominate the global market for fresh fruit and gourmet uses. Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus), also known as sour cherries, reign in pies, jams, and health supplements.

1. Sweet Cherry Varieties

Sweet cherries are celebrated for their rich, balanced flavors and soft, succulent texture. Ideal for eating fresh, they’re also excellent in desserts, salads, and smoothies. Here are the most popular sweet cherry types:

Key Insights

Bing Cherry

Perhaps the most iconic sweet cherry, Bing is a deep-red, large-cherry with a bold, sweet-tart profile. Originating in Washington State, Bing cherries are prized for their intense flavor and premium quality—often seen in high-end grocery stores and spring festivals.
Best for: Fresh eating, baking, wine production
Season: Late spring to early summer

Rainier Cherry

Known for its pale pink skin and creamy, honey-like sweetness, Rainier cherries are semi-sweet with a delicate flavor. This variety stands out visually and gastronomically, making it a favorite for gourmet dishes and desserts.
Best for: Fresh consumption, fruit salads
Season: Mid to late summer

Satoru Cherry

A premium Japanese sweet cherry, Satoru features a compact pit and lips of rich, velvety sweetness. Less widely available but beloved by cherry connoisseurs for its complex, floral notes.
Best for: Specialty markets, fine dining
Season: Late spring

Early Black Cherry

This rare early-season sweet cherry delivers rich flavor with dark red skins and tender flesh. It ripens quickly—ideal for gardeners looking for an early harvest.
Best for: Fresh eating, freezing
Season: Early summer

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Final Thoughts

2. Tart (Sour) Cherry Varieties

Tart or sour cherries are anchored in tangy, robust flavors that make them perfect for cooking, baking, and health-focused applications. Their lower sugar content balances sweetness with bright acidity.

Montmorency Cherry

The gold standard of sour cherries, Montmorency arrives in dark-red to mahogany skin and delivers bold tartness with just enough sweetness. A staple in sauces, jams, and alcoholic beverages like maraschino liqueur.
Best for: Cooking, canning, cooking appliances (e.g., cherry pies)
Season: Late spring to early summer

Morello Cherry

Also known as black sour cherries, Morello cherries have deep purple-black fruit and intense acidity. They are widely used in baking, tart sauces, and vinegar production.
Best for: Baking, preserves, fermented products
Season: Late spring to summer

Fastneck Cherry

A classic for fresh eating, Fastneck cherries are medium-sized with bright red fruits and pronounced tartness. Their crisp texture makes them excellent for fresh pies and snacks.
Best for: Fresh eating, salads
Season: Early summer

3. Specialty & Heirloom Varieties

Beyond mainstream types, a rich variety of heirloom and regional cherries appeal to niche markets and garden enthusiasts:

Stella Cherry

A popular dual-purpose cherry—sweet with a subtle tartness, Stella trees produce large, bright-red fruit especially suited for fresh eating and dessert making.
Season: Mid to late summer

** Chelan Cherry

A sweet to moderately sweet cherry with a rich, buttery flavor and large stone, Chelan cherries are favored for their juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Season: Late summer