Rainier cherries are a variety of sweet cherry with a distinct golden yellow color and partial to full red blush. They originated in 1952 after Harold W. Fogel and other researchers from the Washington Agriculture Experiment Station in Prosser, WA crossed the Bing & Van cherry varieties.
Rainier cherries are the sweetest of all cherry varieties, with sugar, or Brix, levels ranging from 17 to 23 percent. They are delicate and have a juice that is second-to-none. In general, Rainier cherries grow a size or two larger than dark-sweet cherry varieties. They are best eaten fresh out-of-hand.
Stemilt harvests Rainier cherries in May in California and then again in July from Washington state.
Characteristics
Appearance:
Attractive yellow with partial to full red blush
Texture & Firmness:
Firm, fine & smooth
Internal Character:
Almost colorless and juicy
Flavor:
Super-sweet and delicate; Sugar levels range from 17 to 23% Brix
Shape:
Slightly obovate, similar to Bing
Size:
Very large; offered in few sizes
Uses:
Rainier cherries are excellent eaten fresh
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