In the Northeast, cherries are just starting to appear on store shelves — a sure sign that summer has arrived. Because cherries have such a short season, one disappointing bag can feel like a waste. There are telltale signs that a batch isn’t at its best, including brown, dried-out stems and dull skin instead of the glossy finish fresh cherries should have. The biggest mistake shoppers make is grabbing a bag or container without first examining the fruit. Visually, cherries should look plump and glossy, not dull or shriveled. but looks are only part of the equation. Cherries should feel firm to the touch and smell sweet. If you're shopping somewhere that offers samples, taste one before you buy. The one red flag you should watch out for is what the stems look like. Stems should be mostly green with as little brown as possible; this indicates they were freshly harvested. If you're unhappy with the cherries on display, don't be afraid to ask a store employee if there's a fresher batch available. All large supermarkets stock displays using a first-in, first-out system, meaning the fruit at the front isn't always the newest shipment. Bigger is better — at least when it comes to cherries. When comparing two otherwise similar batches, reach for the larger fruit. Cherry pits are generally the same size, so larger cherries yield more fruit per cherry.
