Washington’s famous Chukar Cherries are the perfect treat for National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, this January 3rd. With 11 different flavors of chocolate cherries, Chukar has a chocolate cherry for everyone.

To celebrate National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, Chukar Cherries is partnering with Northwest Cherries, part of the Washington State Fruit Commission, to give away a bundle of chocolate cherry favorites. Visit Instagram or Facebook for giveaway details. Winners will be selected January 7th.

Visitors to Washington can also stop by Chukar’s two retail locations anytime for free samples of our naturally dried and chocolate covered cherries.

How It All Began

Chukar began on the family cherry orchard in the 1980s by naturally drying Northwest cherries. In 1990, on a family vacation in London, Pam toured the famous confectionery hall at Harrods Department Store. There she discovered fine European chocolate-covered dried fruits with nothing artificial added—and brought the concept state-side.

Creating preservative-free fruit confections was a bold move at the time. Eventually Pam found a 5th generation chocolate manufacturer who listened to her desire to create a treat that showcased Northwest cherries with premium chocolate and nothing artificial. He invited Pam down to California to view their facility. They were upgrading to full automation and sold Pam their vintage craftsman kettles. With all the equipment moved north and installed, Pam started learning how to pan chocolates at Chukar headquarters.

“We naturally dry Northwest cherries and make them extraordinary by coating them in premium European-style chocolate,” says Chukar’s Founder and CEO Pam Montgomery. “They’re nothing like syrupy cordials or ultra-processed fruits coated in hard chocolate with artificial additives.”

Crafted in the Northwest

Chukar Cherries start on local orchards where cherries are tree-ripened before being naturally dried in warm air tunnels. The dried cherries are then layered with custom blends of premium pastry chocolate in copper panning kettles—a labor of love and attention to quality. “We make our chocolates fresh—you can smell and taste the freshness in each bite,” says Chukar’s GM Tim Oten.

Our 11 Chocolate Cherry Varieties

From classic milk chocolate to bold dark blends, our chocolate-covered cherries are made fresh and offer something for every palate. Explore all 11 flavors below: