A little reason to celebrate
National Cherry Day
Food ยท July 16
A day for cherries: the small stone fruit eaten fresh, baked into pies, or tucked into jams, with sweet and tart kinds to try.
National Cherry Day falls on Friday, July 16, 2027. That is 262 days away.
Cherries are small, round stone fruits that grow on trees, usually in clusters hanging from long stems. Each one holds a single hard pit in the middle, which is why eating a bowl of them comes with a little pile of pits on the side.
There are two broad kinds. Sweet cherries are the ones most people eat straight from the bag, dark red and juicy. Tart cherries, also called sour cherries, are brighter and sharper, and they tend to go into pies, jams and sauces where a bit of sugar balances them out. Some cherry varieties are pale yellow with a pink blush, which surprises people who expect every cherry to be red.
Most people mark the day simply by eating some. Fresh cherries need little more than a rinse. Dried cherries turn up in trail mix, salads and oatmeal. Cherry pie is the classic baked option, and a cobbler is an easier cousin for anyone who would rather not fuss with a lattice crust.
If you are cooking with fresh cherries, a cherry pitter saves a lot of time. Without one, a sturdy straw or a chopstick pushed through the stem end will pop the pit out the other side. Expect a few red stains on your fingers either way, which wash off with a little patience.
Cherry juice stains easily, so an old shirt is a sensible choice for a pitting session.
Ways to celebrate
- Try a sweet cherry and a tart cherry side by side.
- Bake a simple cherry cobbler or crumble.
- Pit cherries with a straw or chopstick.
- Add dried cherries to oatmeal or a salad.
- Look for yellow cherries at a local market.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, July 16 |
| 2027 | Friday, July 16 |
| 2028 | Sunday, July 16 |
| 2029 | Monday, July 16 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, July 16 |
Also on July 16
Categories: Food days