2020 Cherry Harvest
The 2020 Washington Cherry Harvest ushered in quality fresh cherries in late May to early June from California, but the Northwest’s cooler than normal temperatures are delivering later than normal harvests in Washington and Oregon.
Chukar Cherries accepts only choice cherries that are fully ripe before quickly pitting and transforming them into dried cherries . To meet Chukar’s fresh cherry specifications, a local grower will leave their orchard fruit hanging on the tree weeks longer while allowing a ripening and sweetness to occur as the inner sugars build. The natural sugar eventually increases to a point where it starts to preserve the fruit itself. It’s now ready to become a Chukar Cherry.
In evaluating a delivery of fresh cherries, the Chukar Team measures the level of natural sugar in the fruit. This sugar measurement is called Brix. For fresh cherries to be accepted by Chukar, the Brix measurement must be over 20 and closer to 25.
After sorting, multiple washings and pitting—the cherries are layered into warm air tunnels and slowly dehydrated. Chewy, sweet, and flavorful, our cherries are healthy, wholesome, and high in antioxidants—pure energy from the orchards of the Pacific Northwest.
Next week: 2020 Cherry Harvest & COVID-19
