{"product_id":"dried-sour-cherries","title":"Dried Sour Cherries — Lightly Sweetened","description":"\u003cp\u003eDried sour cherries are a specialty ingredient that most grocery stores don't stock, which is why people who actually cook with them end up ordering online. Sour cherries (the Montmorency variety) are the tart counterpart to the sweet Bing cherries sold fresh in summer. They're smaller, sharper in flavor, and genuinely useful for baking, Middle Eastern cooking, cheese boards, and wellness applications where sweet dried fruit would be too one-dimensional. Ours are lightly sweetened to take the edge off the tartness without masking what makes them worth using in the first place, and unsulphured so there are no sulphur dioxide preservatives in the bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat You're Buying\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Montmorency tart cherries, pitted\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProcessing:\u003c\/strong\u003e soft-dried, lightly sweetened with cane sugar\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients:\u003c\/strong\u003e Montmorency Tart Cherries, Cane Sugar, Sunflower Oil\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eServing size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 oz (28g) \/ 80 servings per container (5 lb)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreservatives:\u003c\/strong\u003e none (no sulphur dioxide)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePackaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e resealable food-safe stand-up bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShelf life:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 to 9 months pantry, up to 12 months refrigerated\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAllergen note:\u003c\/strong\u003e manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood For You\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery bag of Dried Sour Cherries from Nut Cravings carries three attributes you won't find on most commercial dried fruit:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo Sulphur Dioxide:\u003c\/strong\u003e Most mass-market dried fruits use sulphur dioxide to preserve bright color and extend shelf life. Our cherries contain none. The color is a deeper, more natural red rather than the artificially bright pink of sulphured commercial products.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNaturally Grown:\u003c\/strong\u003e Montmorency tart cherries grown without the use of synthetic inputs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVegan:\u003c\/strong\u003e No animal products, animal-derived additives, or honey. Cherries and a small amount of cane sugar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Use Dried Sour Cherries\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaking\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSour cherry pies, crumbles, galettes, cobblers, rugelach, and Black Forest cake all traditionally call for sour cherries rather than sweet. Hungarian, Polish, and German pastry traditions lean heavily on this variety. For cookies, muffins, and quick breads, soak the cherries in warm water or juice for 20 to 30 minutes before folding into batter. For pies and compotes, simmer directly in the filling liquid until plump. Crack and chop immediately before adding to batter for the best flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMiddle Eastern and Persian Cooking\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSour cherries are a core ingredient in Iranian albaloo polo (sour cherry rice cooked with saffron and served alongside lamb kofta), Turkish stuffed vegetable dishes, Lebanese cold yogurt cherry soup, and Syrian lamb preparations. The tartness balances rich meat and rice dishes in a way sweet dried fruit cannot. For albaloo polo, add about 2 oz of dried sour cherries per cup of dry rice for the final 15 minutes of steaming so they plump without disintegrating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalads, Grain Bowls, and Cheese Boards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScatter over kale salads, farro bowls, quinoa with goat cheese, or wild rice pilafs. The tartness cuts through rich dressings and earthy grains. On a cheese board, dried sour cherries work especially well alongside aged cheddar, blue cheese, brie, or goat cheese, where the acid cuts through the richness of the cheese. For a broader dried fruit selection on your board, see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nutcravings.com\/products\/dried-cranberries\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDried Cranberries — Lightly Sweetened\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nutcravings.com\/products\/dried-turkish-apricots\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDried Apricots, Turkish — No Sugar Added\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrail Mix and Granola\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReplace or mix with standard cranberries for a tarter, less-sweet trail mix profile. Pairs especially well with dark chocolate and pistachios. For a comparison with a sweeter unsulphured option in the same format, see \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nutcravings.com\/products\/dried-blueberries\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDried Blueberries — Lightly Sweetened\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYogurt and Cottage Cheese\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA handful of dried sour cherries on cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with honey is a simple, protein-forward snack. The tartness of the cherries balances the dairy richness without requiring added sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSavory Sauces for Poultry and Game\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimmer dried sour cherries with port wine, shallots, and thyme for a classic reduction sauce for duck, pork tenderloin, or turkey. The cherries rehydrate in the cooking liquid and thicken the sauce naturally. This technique works at any holiday meal where a fruit-forward pan sauce fits the protein.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSleep and Wellness Use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMontmorency tart cherries are one of the few significant dietary food sources of naturally occurring melatonin. A small serving (about 1 oz, roughly 1\/4 cup) 30 to 60 minutes before bed is how some people incorporate them into a sleep routine. This is a whole-food application of published research on tart cherry and melatonin, not a medical claim. Speak with a healthcare provider before making any changes to a sleep management plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoosing the Right Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDried Sour Cherries are available in 0.5 lb, 1 lb, 2 lb, 3 lb, and 5 lb sizes. The 0.5 lb or 1 lb bag suits a first purchase or occasional recipe use. The 2 lb size is the right fit for regular bakers who use sour cherries across multiple recipes in a season. The 3 lb and 5 lb sizes are for households that go through dried sour cherries at a pace small grocery-store bags can't sustain, or for anyone who does a large batch of holiday baking in one go. For bulk sizes, move a portion to the freezer on arrival to protect freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor a curated mixed dried fruit selection that includes sour cherries alongside other varieties, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nutcravings.com\/products\/gourmet-prime-assorted-dried-fruit-tray\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGourmet Prime Assorted Dried Fruit Tray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e is a good place to explore what works best for your cooking and snacking needs before committing to a larger single-variety bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSeal the bag after each use and store in a cool, dry place. In the sealed bag at room temperature: 6 to 9 months. Refrigerated in the sealed bag: up to 12 months. Frozen in a sealed freezer bag: 12 or more months without significant texture or flavor change. For bulk sizes (2 lb, 3 lb, 5 lb), transfer half to a sealed freezer bag immediately on arrival and work through the room-temperature portion first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnsulphured dried fruits gradually lose moisture over time. If left open in a warm kitchen, the cherries turn firmer and more leathery but remain fully usable in baking, where they rehydrate during cooking. Only crack what you plan to use within the short term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDried Sour Cherries Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery order is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, contact our team and we will make it right. That applies to every bag we ship, every time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nut Cravings","offers":[{"title":"0.5 lb (8 oz)","offer_id":47530463658214,"sku":"Fruit Cherries - 08","price":18.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 lb (16 oz)","offer_id":47499523817702,"sku":"NC-DRIED-CHERRIES-16","price":18.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 lb (32 oz)","offer_id":47499523850470,"sku":"NC-DRIED-CHERRIES-32","price":25.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 lb (48 oz)","offer_id":47499523883238,"sku":"NC-DRIED-CHERRIES-48","price":34.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5 lb (80 oz)","offer_id":47499523916006,"sku":"NC-DRIED-CHERRIES-80","price":50.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1765\/9743\/files\/816cgz_7aL.jpg?v=1774899495","url":"https:\/\/www.nutcravings.com\/products\/dried-sour-cherries","provider":"Nut Cravings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}