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Rainier Cherries
Inventory, 18lbs : 8.07
This item was last sold on : 08/08/22
Food Buzz: History of Cherries |
Description/Taste
Rainier cherries are a larger variety, averaging 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to heart-like shape with a dimple on the stem-end, attached to long and slender stems. The fruit’s skin is taut, glossy, smooth, and thin with a golden yellow base, covered in red, orange, and pink blush. Underneath the surface, the flesh is yellow to cream-colored, sometimes featuring red streaks near the seed, and has a semi-firm, plump, tender, and aqueous consistency, encasing a central light brown pit. Rainier cherries contain low acidity and have one of the highest sugar contents of sweet cherry varieties, ranging from 17 to 28 Brix. The fruits have a delicately floral, sweet flavor with notes of peaches and a caramel-like finish on the palate.
Seasons/Availability
Rainier cherries are available for a short season in the late spring through early summer.
Current Facts
Rainier cherries, botanically classified as Prunus avium ‘Rainier,’ is a sweet American hybrid variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The golden yellow, red-blushed stone fruits grow on trees that can reach 9 to 10 meters in height and are climacric in nature, meaning the cherries will continue to ripen off of the tree. Rainier cherries are considered a premium sweet cherry variety as they are only produced in limited quantities each season and are difficult to cultivate. The fruit’s skin is thin, easily bruised, and damaged, and a quarter to one-third of the crop is often destroyed by birds, leaving a small number of ripe fruits for domestic sale and international export. Rainier cherries were developed in Washington in the mid to late 20th century and were named after Mount Rainier, the tallest peak in Washington state. The variety is favored in commercial markets for its sweet taste and non-staining juice and is primarily consumed fresh as a snacking fruit. Rainier cherries are also a comm home garden variety and are valued by cherry enthusiasts for the tree’s ornamental nature.
Nutritional Value
Rainier cherries are a good source of potassium to balance fluid levels within the body and fiber to regulate the digestive tract. The fruits also contain vitamins A and C to reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and boost collagen production within the skin, and provide lower amounts of copper and manganese.
Applications
Rainier cherries have a sweet, floral flavor well suited for fresh preparations. The fruit’s juicy flesh can be consumed straight, out of hand, or it can be tossed into salads, used as a topping over pancakes and desserts, or stirred into acai bowls. Rainier cherries can also be blended into smoothies, juiced for cocktails, slushies, and sparkling beverages, used as a bite-sized appetizer on mini pie crusts, or integrated into ice cream and mousses. In addition to using the fresh fruits, the cherries can be simmered into jams, jellies, and preserves. Rainier cherries can also be used in baked applications, but their light-yellow coloring, juicy texture, and expensive price tag may not be suitable for all recipes. The fruits are occasionally incorporated into cakes, crumbles, cobblers, galettes, and tarts. Rainier cherries pair well with chocolate, vanilla, honey, other fruits such as peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, and citrus, cinnamon, balsamic vinegar, and cheeses including robiola, ricotta, goat, and burrata. Whole, unwashed cherries will keep 5 to 7 days when stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator. The fruits can also be frozen for extended use.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Rainier cherries are the only cherry variety to have their own national holiday in the United States. National Rainier Cherry Day is an annual event held on July 11th to recognize and celebrate the American-bred cherry. The holiday takes place in the heht of cherry season, and farmer’s markets, growers, and supermarkets in the Pacific Northwest participate in festivals and outdoor gatherings to promote the sweet fruits. The Northwest Cherry Growers, a group working under the Washington State Fruit Commission, also selects one chef and restaurant in each of the fifty states to feature Rainier cherries on their menus over the national day. The cherry-filled event is a part of the Tree-to-Table program to highlight fruits directly sourced from farms, and the chefs that are chosen to highlight the cherries use the fruits in both sweet and savory preparations.
Geography/History
Rainier cherries were developed in 1952 by Harold Fogle of Washington State University's breeding program. Fogle was a part of the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center at the university and was initially assigned to breed peach trees. After a horrible winter freeze in 1949, causing the peach trees to die, Fogle was reassigned to develop a cherry that would be early-maturing, ripening before the popular bing cherry. Rainier cherries are a cross between the bing and van cherries, originally labeled as P 1-680 during research trials. The variety was officially recognized and selected for commercial cultivation in 1960. Today Rainier cherries are primarily grown in Washington state and throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon. The fruits are also cultivated in California, Canada, and Chile and are sold domestically and exported to Asia. In Japan, Rainier cherries can average $1 to $5 per cherry. When in season, Rainier cherries are sold fresh through farmer's markets, supermarkets, and specialty distributors.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
Buona Forchetta | San Diego CA | 619-381-4844 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
You & Yours Distilling Co. | San Diego CA | 214-693-6619 |
Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
Olivewood Gardens -Donation | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
JSIX American restaurant & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
Nadolife Production | San Diego CA | 619-239-1224 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Rainier Cherries. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Rainier Cherries using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Natoora
Near London, England, United Kingdom135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD, United Kingdom 4402072370346 About 28 days ago, 7/12/22 ![]() ![]() About 58 days ago, 6/12/22 Sharer's comments : Rainier Cherries from Andy's Orchards ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 58 days ago, 6/12/22 ![]() ![]() About 59 days ago, 6/11/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 hancock st SD CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 60 days ago, 6/10/22 Sharer's comments : Rainier Cherries from ANDY'S ORCHARD at Specialty Produce ![]() ![]()
Andy's Orchard
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesMorgan Hill, CA 310-306-5334 About 62 days ago, 6/08/22 ![]() ![]()
Martin
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesLinden,CA 209-479-6661 About 69 days ago, 6/01/22 ![]() ![]()
Barbagaleta Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesLinden,CA 209-479-6661 About 76 days ago, 5/25/22 ![]() ![]()
Troy Regier
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesDinuba, CA 1-559-779-4704 About 83 days ago, 5/18/22 ![]() ![]()
Murray family farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 101 days ago, 4/30/22 ![]() ![]()
Murray Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 101 days ago, 4/30/22 Sharer's comments : Rainier Cherries from Murray Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Murray Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 104 days ago, 4/27/22 Sharer's comments : Rainer Cherries just in from Murray Family Farms ![]() ![]()
Yellow Green Farmers Market
Near Hollywood, Florida, United States3080 Sheridan Street Hollywood FL 33021 954-513-3990 About 262 days ago, 11/20/21 ![]() ![]()
Smit Farms
Near Newport Coast, California, United StatesLinden, CA About 416 days ago, 6/19/21 Sharer's comments : Cherries are all the rage, perfectly packaged and ready to eat on the run! ![]() ![]()
Andy's Orchard
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesMorgan Hill CA About 419 days ago, 6/16/21 Sharer's comments : Large and beautiful - and SUPER sweet! ![]() ![]()
Arnett Farms
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 429 days ago, 6/06/21 ![]() ![]()
Barbagelata Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 433 days ago, 6/02/21 ![]() ![]()
Murray Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 440 days ago, 5/26/21 ![]() ![]()
Murray Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 447 days ago, 5/19/21 ![]() ![]() About 457 days ago, 5/09/21 Sharer's comments : Rainier cherries! ![]() ![]()
Murray Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 461 days ago, 5/05/21 |