Where are cherries grown in Washington state
Andrew White
Published Apr 05, 2026
The major sweet cherry production regions are east of the Cascade Mountains in the central area of the state. The three primary sweet cherry production regions are the Yakima Valley, with 12,000 acres; the North Central (Wenatchee) district, with 9,500 acres; and the Columbia Basin, with about 4,500 acres of cherries.
Are Rainier cherries only grown in Washington?
Rainier cherries are exceptionally sweet. They have a thin yellow skin and a very tender, juicy sweet yellow flesh. Their taste is truly unique. Although they are grown in Oregon and California, they originated in Washington state.
Where do Rainier cherries grow in Washington?
The name for this cherry comes from Washington State’s largest mountain, Mt. Rainier. Rainier cherries are large in size, so it’s fitting they were named after our state’s most mammoth mountain. Mt.
Where do Washington cherries come from?
Most Washington cherries are grown in the Yakima Valley, with 12,000 acres; followed by the Wenatchee area with 9,500 acres. Last year, Washington’s sweet cherry crop broke records. Our growers produced 23.1 million boxes weighing 20 pounds each.Is Washington state known for cherries?
Washington continues to be the leading state in sweet cherry production with with 243,800 tons produced in 2018, down 7 percent from 2017, followed by Oregon with 54,600 tons (NASS 2019 Tree Fruit Report). The United States is the second-largest producer of cherries in the world after Turkey (FAOSTAT 2019).
Why are Rainier cherries so expensive?
Why are Rainier Cherries More Expensive? … The supply of Rainier is nowhere near as large as more traditional dark red cherry. You also have to consider that people already pay more for them, so they probably will continue to pay more for them.
What kind of cherries are grown in Washington state?
- Red Sweet Cherries. This classic deep red cherry is as juicy as you could hope for, with just the right amount of tang. …
- Rainier Cherries. Developed right here in Washington State, and named after our most famous peak, these sweet, elegant cherries are golden-yellow with a red blush. …
- Orondo Ruby Cherries.
What state has the best cherries?
Washington, California and Oregon are the primary sweet cherry producing states, accounting for almost 90 percent of the quantity produced nationwide. The primary tart cherry producing state is Michigan, accounting for nearly 74 percent of tart cherry production (NASS, 2020).Why do cherries grow well in Washington state?
While many ornamental cherries grow nicely in gardens in western Washington, sweet cherry trees with rootstock resistant to bacterial canker and tolerant of heavy, volcanic soils prove best.
Do Rainier cherries make you poop?Cherries have laxative properties. This is a reproductive strategy for many trees and shrubs.
Article first time published onWhat is the difference between Rainier cherries and Bing cherries?
Bing: Sweet and full of flavor, tend to have a deeper more intense flavor. Rainier: Higher in sugar but with a tart, crisper taste.
Do cherries have any health benefits?
Cherries are low in calories and chock full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and other good-for-you ingredients. You’ll get vitamins C, A, and K. Each long-stemmed fruit delivers potassium, magnesium, and calcium too. They also bring antioxidants, like beta-carotene, and the essential nutrient choline.
Does Walmart have Rainier cherries?
Fresh Sweet Rainier Cherries, 1.25 lb Pouch – Walmart.com.
Are Washington cherries good?
Cherries are rich with potassium, which recent studies have shown may reduce the risk of hypertension and stoke, as well as be a contributing factor to healthy blood pressure. Evidence has shown cherries have compounds that may reduce the risk of diabetes and inflammation.
Are Washington cherries sweet or sour?
They’re usually pretty big and sturdy, with firm flesh. Bing, Rainier, and Lambert are all sweet cherries. In the US, Washington produces the most sweet cherries, so those are often what you’ll find in supermarkets.
Where do the best cherries in the world come from?
RankCountryProduction (in metric tons)1Turkey480,7482United States384,6463Iran200,0004Italy104,766
Are Washington cherries the same as Bing cherries?
On the inside, Rainier cherries have yellow flesh, while Bing is again dark red or purple. The two fruits are equally susceptible to cracking from rain, and both bruise similarly. Rainier, one of several yellow cherry varieties, shows bruising more easily due to its lighter skin, notes Washington State Magazine.
Do bing cherries grow in Washington state?
Great tasting Bing and Lambert cherries are dark red cherries grown in Washington State and Oregon. Bing cherries are some of the sweetest with Washington State ranking as the largest grower of this luscious fruit.
What cherries are the sweetest?
Bing. The most popular variety of sweet cherry, Bings are recognizable for their heart shape and sweet, lingering aftertaste. Originally cultivated in Oregon, these cherries peak in season from May to August.
What are the best cherries to eat?
Bing cherries are the most popular and most widely distributed sweet cherry variety. These large, plump fruits have firm, juicy flesh and a rich and vibrant sweet cherry flavor: they’re delicious fresh and simple.
What are the benefits of eating Rainier cherries?
- Packed with nutrients. …
- Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. …
- Can boost exercise recovery. …
- May benefit heart health. …
- May improve symptoms of arthritis and gout. …
- May improve sleep quality. …
- Easy to add to your diet.
What kind of cherries are BC cherries?
Many different kinds! The most commonly available varieties include: Satin™, Cristalina™, Skeena, Lapins, Sweetheart™, Staccato ®, Sentennial™ and Sovereign™.
Can you grow cherries in Seattle?
For the time being, I am going to try to decide what the most common fruiting plants that produce well here in Seattle: In no particular order, we have Apples, Plums, Pears, Cherries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Strawberries. As you will notice, there are a lot of fruiting trees on the list.
Are Washington cherries sweet?
The leading commercial sweet cherry in North America. Fruit is firm, juicy and a deep mahogany red when ripe. Exceptionally large fruit of the finest quality with an intensely sweet, vibrant flavor. Intensely sweet and vibrant flavor.
What region do cherries grow?
In the United States, most sweet cherries are grown in Washington, California, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Where is the cherry capital of the world?
The ultimate celebration of cherries is the National Cherry Festival. It’s held every year in July in the “Cherry Capital of the World”-Traverse City, Michigan.
Why are cherries so expensive?
The main reason cherries are so expensive is that they have a very short season. … Cherries only bloom for a very short period of time. By the time these cherry trees produce their crop and the product makes it to the stores, there are really only a few more weeks of the cherry season left.
Do cherries help you lose belly fat?
Do cherries help you lose belly fat? There is a lack of research that suggests cherry consumption directly reduces visceral (belly) fat. But these fruits can be part of a weight loss diet.
Who died from eating too many cherries?
Originally Answered: Which president died from eating too many cherries? Zachary Taylor, the 12th U.S. president, died after eating cherries and drinking iced milk on a hot 4th of July in 1850 while attending festivities at the newly dedicated grounds upon which the Washington Monument would be erected.
Do cherries make you fart?
Fruit and Fruit Juice Some common fruits that lead to gas include: Apples. Apricots. Cherries.
What happens when you eat too many cherries?
Eating too many cherries at once could potentially lead to uncomfortable gastrointestinal issues, like gas, cramping and abdominal bloating — these are all possible symptoms of eating too much fruit. So, yes, cherries can cause diarrhea if you eat too many.