Tips & Facts – Sun Valley Farms

On weekends it can be very busy so try to come early in the day or later on in the day. If possible try to visit us on a weekday.
There are over 3000 planted cherries, we never run out until the end, many different varieties with different ripening dates so we should have at least 4-5 weeks straight of cherries.
We have enough cherries for everyone.
Bring something to drink; you’d be surprised how you can work up a thirst! And don’t forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren’t a problem, but some bug spray might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Cherries, like peaches, continue to increase in size until they are ripe. They should be picked when they are of maximum size and full-flavored
Cherries do not ripen once picked, so look for fruit that is deep red in colour
Look for heavy, firm cherries with a shiny skin and fresh stem
When picking, harvest with the stem attached as they will last longer and pick them one by one, not in bunches
If you plan on using the cherries right away, the stem can be left behind
Twist the top of the stem as you pull down, this will protect the bud and branches for future harvests. Please don’t break the branches, they’re next years cherries!
Place the cherries gently in a bucket, as this fruit can bruise easily
Place them in your refrigerator once home, they will keep longer if the stems are left attached. They will store in the refrigerator for two to three days
Wear sunscreen when picking cherries in our orchard; the sun can get hot!

DON’T wash the cherries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
Cherries are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so make a point of refrigerating them as immediately as possible after purchase. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze cherries! (Fresh cherries are highly prone to freeze damage).
Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting cherries
Even under ideal conditions cherries will only keep for a few days in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume or freeze them as soon as possible after purchase.

Cherry – Health Facts and Tips

Cherries come in many colors besides red: there are also dark red (almost black), yellow, blush (mixed) and gold cherries.
Cherries are a very healthy food; they are high Vitamin C and naturally have no fat, cholesterol or sodium
They are also a good source of vitamin A, calcium, protein, and iron.
Cherries are an antioxidant-rich foods.
One cup of cherries is less than 90 calories and 3 grams of fiber.
One cup of cherries has 260 mg of potassium which plays a key role in muscle, heart, kidney, and nerve cell functions.
Cherries are high in fiber. Half to one pound of cherry fruit per day can provide twenty to thirty grams of fiber which is adequate for an adult daily nutrition requirement.
Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as Cherries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
You can easily freeze cherries that you cannot use right away – just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a zip-lock bag, removing as much air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The cherries will keep for many months frozen without air.
Anthocyanins in cherries are what give the fruit its red color and help protect the heart and surrounding tissues
Some research has found eating cherries to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and gout