If you’ve ever wondered how to tell if cherries are bad, look no further. This blog post will teach you how to identify spoiled cherries.
It can be difficult to tell when the fruit has gone bad, but you’ll be able to spot the signs easily with a little practice.
Keep reading for our tips on determining whether or not your cherries have expired.
If your cherries are squishy and mushy to the touch, or if fluids are spilling from them, they have properly gone bad.
How to Tell If Cherries are Gone Bad? The Tall tales Signs
Cherries are fragile fruit that spoils rapidly. When determining whether or not your cherries have gone bad, here are some telltale signs that cherries have gone bad:
Mold Growth
If you find white or black mold patches on your cherry, don’t consume them. The stem is often the first spot to look for mold development.
If the moldy cherries look otherwise fine, you can try to remove the mold by gently rubbing it with your fingers or with a clean, dry cloth.
Check for Maggots
Even if you’ve just bought home fresh cherries, you should keep this advice in mind.
Check a few cherries for white worms on the interior. If there are any, be careful to break apart and inspect each cherry before eating or storing it.
Color, Leakiness, and Texture
Fresh and high-quality cherries are glossy, plump, and firm in texture, color, and leakiness.
If your cherries are squishy and mushy to the touch, or if fluids are spilling from them, they have gone rotten. Wrinkled cherries may not be fresh enough to consume as well.
Also, check to see whether the cherries are discolored. Discernible alterations suggest that the cherries have lost their freshness and may have gone rotten.
Soft Stem
If the stem of your cherry is soft, it implies the fruit is overripe and about to spoil.
Alternatively, if the stem is difficult to remove, the cherry was plucked too early and will not taste as nice.
Tip: Before you purchase or eat cherries, inspect the stem.
Off Smell
Cherries with sour or fermented odors suggest that deterioration has commenced.
Alternatively, if you detect any off-odors or unpleasant odors emanating from the cherries, you should discard them.
Tip: If you're not sure whether your cherries are still good to eat, there's a simple test you can do at home.
Take a look at the cherries and see if they’re covered in a thick, slimy substance. If they are, they’re probably bad, and you should throw them out.
If you inhale rotting cherries too closely, you may inhale mold, triggering allergic reactions or respiratory difficulties.
So, keep a safe space between you and the cherries.
How To Store Cherries for Longer
Throwing out a bag of poor cherries might be very unpleasant.
To keep you out of such scenarios, we’ve compiled a list of fantastic cherry storage suggestions for you.
Refrigerate the cherries
Cherries like a cool temperature. Refrigeration is essential for keeping your cherries fresh for as long as possible.
When cherries are left at room temperature, they lose quality quickly.
Tip: Thus, if you want to enjoy your cherries for a more extended period, place them in a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator.
If You Aren’t Going to Eat the Cherries, Don’t Wash Them
Molds and spoilage microorganisms thrive in damp environments. So, if you aren’t going to consume the cherries right soon, don’t wash them.
Tip: Remember not to remove the stems. Remove them when you're ready to eat them, not before.
The color and firmness of the stems assist in determining whether they are in good condition or not. They must have them at that point.
Dry the Cherries
If you have many cherries or a bag full of them from the farm, drying them might be a great way to store them. Drying cherries also does not need a lot of effort.
Thoroughly wash the cherries.
Remove the seeds and stems before drying the cherries. If you want to take a handful and consume them without being bothered.
You may dry the cherries without eliminating the stems and seeds if this bothers you.
Finally, arrange the cherries in a place and dry them in the sun, oven, or dehydrator.
If you want your dried cherries to be moist, soak them overnight in sugar syrup before drying.
Remove Bad Cherries Before Storing
Before storing the cherries, sift away the bad ones. Moldy cherries may bring more pollutants and moisture to the batch, causing it to spoil.
So, always remove the rotten cherries before preparing them cherries for preservation.
Freeze the Cherries
Another great approach for long-term preservation is to freeze the cherries. Frozen cherries are great for preparing smoothies or adding to baking preparations.
Furthermore, freezing the cherries has no effect on their taste or freshness for up to a year.
So, if you want to keep the cherries for an extended period, freezing may be one of your most acceptable alternatives.
Tip: Fill a freezer-safe container with frozen cherries. Before freezing the container, mark it with the kind and date of the cherries. Frozen cherries last a year.
Can The Cherries
Canning cherries is a suitable method of preserving cherries. Because sugar is a great preservative, it is widely used to preserve cherries.
Unopened canned cherries can keep you going for a year or two.
Removing the stems and seeds from the cherries before preserving them may prove to be a wise decision, as it will enable you to preserve more cherries in a jar.
If you want to can cherries on your own, always use a good canning guide.
The main disadvantage of preserving cherries is that the cherry may become too sweet if preserved in sugar syrup. However, if you have a sweet craving, this storing strategy may be ideal.
The Dangers of Eating Expired Cherries
Consuming any expired food is dangerous. Because cherries are particularly perishable, the danger is significantly larger.
Frozen, canned, or dried cherries may be safely consumed for an extended period, even beyond their expired date.
However, if you observe any symptoms of deterioration, you should avoid them at all costs. Spoilage bacteria produce many toxins, which may make you ill.
Moldy cherries aren’t any different. Molds create a form of poison known as mycotoxin.
These chemicals have been linked to various respiratory problems and allergic responses in certain people.
So, if you find mold patches on the cherries or if the fragrance is bad, toss them.
Cherries FAQs
Do you have any more questions on how to tell if cherries are bad? Here are some more common questions about cherries.
Are Cherries Bad If They Have Mold on Them?
Cherries are not necessarily bad if they have mold on them. However, you should inspect the cherries for other signs of spoilage, such as softness or discoloration, before consuming them.
Can You Freeze Cherries?
Cherries can be frozen whole, pitted, or unpitted. If real freezing cherries, properly wash and dry them beforehand.
Place the cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for two hours or until firm.
How Long Do Cherries Last?
Cherries generally last about a week in the fridge but can last up to two weeks if stored properly.
If you’re not sure how long your cherries have been in the fridge, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and throw them out.
Final Verdict
So, how to tell if cherries are bad? If cherries are bad, they will have a sour smell and taste. The fruit’s flesh will be discolored, and there may be mold on the surface.
If you see any of these signs, it is best to discard the fruit.
Cherries that are starting to go bad but are still edible can be used in cooked dishes or turned into jam.
There you have it! Those are a few simple ways to tell if cherries are bad. You can ensure that you always have fresh, delicious cherries on hand by following these tips.