Cherries
Cree: mihko mînis
Readiness
Ripe between early June to mid July
Ripe cherries are smooth, round, plump, and juicy. The darker the colour, the sweeter the cherry! Underripe cherries can be light pink, yellow, or orange, hard to the touch, and the pit and flesh stays attached to the stem when picked.
Sweet cherries tend to be quarter-sized, and sour cherries nickel-sized.
Harvesting
Average yield 50 to 200 lbs
Hand-picking is best: grip the stems and twist off. Stems should detach easily from tree. Try not to pull off leaves/branch. Use picking poles for taller trees. Cherries can be picked slightly underripe, but they do not continue to sweeten off the branch.
Storing and Eating
Cherries bruise easily and will not last long once they’ve been picked. Keep the stem attached to the fruit as this will allow the cherries to store better. Pack loosely in a single layer, store in the fridge and eat within a few days
To freeze, first wash, de-stem, and remove the pits. Freeze on a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag or container. Frozen fruits are best used for baking and cooking, and can be used without thawing. Use within a year.
References:
- Indigenous names: Online Cree Dictionary
- How to Pick Cherries Like a Pro!