By admin 
Washington state may be best known for apples, but its cherries are also first class.
Read more How lawsuits under a 1967 wiretapping law exposed California’s privacy paradox
In fact, the Evergreen State is the top U.S. producer of sweet cherries, according to the Port of Seattle. There is even a special “tree candy” cherry that grows solely in the state.
When can these cherries be found in Washington? How much do they cost?
Here’s what to know:
What are Rainier Cherries?
Grocery store shoppers may recognize Rainier Cherries for their sunset coloring as well as honey-like taste. The golden fruits are only grown in the Pacific Northwest, according to the Benton County based cherry company, Chukar Cherries.
The Washington grown cherries also have their own holiday. June 28 is National Rainier Cherry Day.
“This time of year marks the peak of Rainier cherry harvest for growers in Washington, which is a big deal considering Rainier cherries are only in season for two months each summer,” Stemilt, the Wenatchee based farm says.
Pairing with the sweet taste is also a higher price tag, but some consumers don’t seem to mind. As of July 23, at the Quality Food Centers across Washington the cherries are selling for $7.99 a pound.
How were the sweet cherries created?
The creation of the sweet cherry, named after Washington’s Mount Rainier, is the result of cross-breeding at Washington State University, Washington State Magazine previously reported.
Harold Fogle, a U.S. Department of Agriculture breeder had been finding a way to extend the cherry season by creating a new variety.
Initially, the tree was created to be an aid for Bing cherries, the drupiferous (any plant that bears stone fruit) trees were designed to mature and bloom before other varieties of cherries. According to Stemilt, the trees are planted between red cherry trees to help attract bees to aid pollination of various types of the stone fruit.
The breeding of Bing and Van cherries resulted in the “tree candy” fruit we know today.
When are Rainier Cherries in Season?
Looking for the sweet cherries? The best time to find these dessert-like fruits is late June through late July. This can vary from season to season, however.
Read more Why juries rejected murder charges in K Street shootout Davis stabbings
How can I find the best cherries at the grocery store?
Looking to buy cherries during your next supermarket visit? There are a few factors you should consider when searching for the perfect fruit.
Cherry stems “should be green and pliable, but most of all still attached,” Julie Bosma of Bosma Ag Enterprises based in Outlook told AllRecipes.com. “Removing a cherry’s stem shortens its already-fleeting window of freshness.”
Bosma also recommended choosing firm, smooth fruit without soft spots or pitting.
When it comes to darker cherry varieties, “I steer away from bright, fire-engine red cherries as they tend to be less sweet,” Bosma said.
Yellow Rainier cherries should have a “pinkish-red hue” indicating better flavor and sweetness, according to Bosma.
How should I store fresh cherries?
Avoid washing fruit as soon as you bring it home from the store, as this can make the fruits decay faster, according to Wenatchee’s Stemilt Growers.
Instead, wash your cherries right before you plan to eat them.
You should keep your cherries cool, preferably in the refrigerator, and store them away from stronger-smelling foods such as onions.
“If the summer abundance is overwhelming your kitchen counter, cherries also freeze well,” PCC Community Markets in Seattle said.
This story was originally published July 27, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline “Dessert Cherries from Washington? The history of Rainier Cherries.”
Read more Padilla introduces a new bill to counter Trump’s ‘attacks’ on federal elections