Cherries are diverse fruit grown and harvested from trees originating from the regions surround the Black and Caspian Seas.
The fruits can be sweet, tart, sour, or anywhere in between.
They are often eaten raw and used as both fresh and dried ingredients for everything from muffins and pies to meat dishes.
But, let’s get to the main question already; are Cherries considered a stone fruit?
Quick Answer: Yes, Cherries are considered stone fruit. The skin is thin, it has a large stone in the middle of the fruit, making it qualify as a drupe (stone fruit) rather than a berry.
Are Cherries Stones Freestone or Clingstone?
Cherries are both freestone and clingstone. Depending on the tree species and the fruit they produce, the seeds found in Cherries may come out easily. But, in a handful of cultivars, Cherry seeds don’t come out without some flesh clinging to them (making these particular Cherry species classified as clingstone).
Similar Stone Fruits
Some of the most similar stone fruits to Cherries are:
- Apricots are soft and sweet, like some Cherries are, and include a large stone in their center.
- Dates are similar to Cherries in that they are often used as dried ingredients for other foods, and they of course include a stone in their fruit.
- Nectarines are an often overlooked form of stone fruit, and one that is, like Cherries, often eaten raw but is also sometimes dried and eaten or used as ingredients.
- Peaches are probably one of the most popular stone fruits that there are, right beside Cherries (which are incredibly popular), and are eaten raw as well as used for a dry ingredient.
- Plums are also a similar stone fruit to Cherries in that they are both used in a wide variety of pies, cakes, muffins, and more.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
