Dark morello cherries are a variety of tart cherry that have dark red to nearly black skin and flesh. They are primarily grown in Europe and have a distinct sour-sweet flavor. Morello cherries have many culinary and medicinal uses thanks to their unique taste and nutrient profile.
Culinary Uses
Morello cherries have a rich, complex flavor that makes them versatile to use in cooking and baking. Here are some of the most common ways dark morello cherries are used:
Pies, Tarts, and Pastries
Morello cherries are the preferred cherry variety for pies, tarts, clafoutis, and other baked desserts. Their soft, plump flesh and balanced sweet-tart taste holds up well to baking. Morello cherry pies are especially popular. The cherries create a thick, flavorful filling when cooked down with sugar.
Jams and Preserves
The natural pectin content in morello cherries makes them ideal for home canning. Morello cherry jam has a spreadable texture and intense cherry flavor. The cherries can also be preserved whole in a sugary syrup. Jarred morello cherries are commonly used as pie filling and garnishes.
Salads
Fresh morello cherries add a pop of color and tangy sweetness to fruit and green salads. Their small size allows them to be easily enjoyed whole. Common pairings include cherry, spinach, and goat cheese salads. The cherries also make excellent vinaigrettes and dressings.
Meat Dishes
Morello cherries can provide a sweet-tart counterpoint to savory meats like duck, pork, and chicken. They are often incorporated into sauces and chutneys for such dishes. Their flavor even complements beef in certain preparations. A classic pairing is morello cherries with roasts or meatloaf.
Beverages
The juice and flavor of morello cherries work well in many beverages. Their tartness balances sweet ingredients like sugar or honey. Popular cherry drinks include juices, lemonades, teas, wine cocktails, and cherry brandy. Morello cherries can also be brewed into cherry beer.
Snacks and Desserts
Whole fresh morello cherries make for nutritious grab-and-go snacks. Their sweet-tart taste also enhances trail mixes, granola, fruit salads, and yogurt parfaits. For dessert, they can be dipped in chocolate, baked into crisps and crumbles, or layered into trifles.
Medicinal Uses
In addition to their versatility in cooking, morello cherries have a number of potential health benefits. Current research suggests the nutrients and compounds in the cherries may help:
Reduce Inflammation
The anthocyanins that give morello cherries their dark red color are powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Studies indicate the anthocyanins in tart cherries can effectively reduce inflammatory markers associated with arthritis, gout, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Improve Sleep Quality
Morello cherries contain melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Consuming cherry juice has been connected with improved time, quality, and efficiency of sleep in multiple studies. The melatonin in cherries may help people fall asleep faster and get more restorative sleep.
Boost Exercise Recovery
Active individuals may benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties and nutrients in morello cherries. Research shows cherry juice can reduce muscle damage and soreness following strenuous exercise. It also helps maintain strength and performance during periods of intensive training.
Support Heart Health
The antioxidant content of morello cherries is believed to promote heart health. Studies indicate cherry intake is associated with decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and risk of cardiovascular disease. The anthocyanins may improve blood vessel function and protect the heart.
Relieve Pain
In traditional medicine, tart cherry juice is used as a mild analgesic to relieve pain from inflammatory conditions. Scientific studies also support the pain-alleviating effects of the anthocyanins and other compounds in cherries. There is evidence that tart cherry juice can provide pain relief comparable to over-the-counter medications.
| Medicinal Use | Purported Effects |
|---|---|
| Reduce inflammation | Lower inflammatory markers linked to chronic diseases |
| Improve sleep | Fall asleep faster and get better quality sleep |
| Boost exercise recovery | Reduce muscle damage and soreness after exercise |
| Support heart health | Improve blood pressure, cholesterol, and cardiovascular function |
| Relieve pain | Provide natural pain relief from inflammatory conditions |
Nutrient Profile
Morello cherries are low in calories but pack a nutritious punch. Here are some of the key nutrients found in about 1 cup (154g) of raw morello cherries:
- 87 calories
- 22g carbohydrates
- 2g fiber
- 1g protein
- Less than 1g fat
- 10% DV vitamin C
- 3% DV calcium
- 3% DV iron
- Anthocyanins
- Melatonin
- Potassium
- Copper
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
The high fiber, vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content provide many of the potential health benefits of morello cherries. They are especially rich sources of anthocyanins compared to other fruits.
Selection and Storage
Follow these tips for choosing fresh morello cherries and keeping them at their best:
Selection
- Look for plump, firm cherries with glossy, vibrant skin.
- Avoid shriveled cherries or those with bruised, leaking flesh.
- Cherries should be uniformly colored without green patches.
- Stems should be fresh and green, not brown.
- Choose cherries grown locally when possible for maximum freshness.
Storage
- Keep fresh cherries refrigerated and spread out in a single layer.
- Consume within 3-5 days for best quality.
- Do not wash cherries until ready to eat.
- Cherries can be frozen for later use in baked goods or preserves.
- Dried morello cherries will keep for months stored in an airtight container.
Proper storage keeps fresh cherries tasting sweet and tangy. Buy morello cherries in season and enjoy their short window of availability.
Conclusion
Dark morello cherries have a delightful tart flavor that makes them extremely versatile in cooking and baking. Their rich red color signals high amounts of antioxidant anthocyanins. These compounds give morello cherries many potential health benefits, from reducing inflammation to improving sleep and exercise recovery. Morello cherries are low in calories and pack in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that add to their superfood status. When fresh, look for plump, firm cherries with glossy skin and green stems. Store properly in the refrigerator and enjoy morello cherries at their seasonal best. With their diversity of uses in desserts, main dishes, drinks and as nutritious snacks, morello cherries are a unique and healthy ingredient to keep on hand.