Dried Cherries | Sweetened

Cherries, Cane Sugar, Sunflower Oil.

Dried cherries are intensely flavored, rich, fruity, and almost jam-like in their sweetness, with a lingering tartness that keeps them from being one-dimensional. The cane sugar amplifies the cherry’s natural sugars without masking the fruit’s depth. The texture is pleasantly chewy with a slight stickiness. Dried cherries are among the most flavorful single-ingredient dried fruits available, with a depth that few other dried fruits can match.

Store Gerbs Dried Cherries in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Unopened, they keep for up to 12 months. After opening, consume within 3 months for best flavor and texture. Dried cherries can clump in warm or humid conditions due to their sugar content, this is normal and does not indicate spoilage. Refrigeration after opening is recommended in hot or humid climates and will extend freshness by several additional months.

When you’re shopping for dried cherries with food allergies in mind, you need a producer who controls every step of handling. Gerbs Dried Cherries are made in our family-owned, dedicated allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island. Our facility has never handled gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, crustaceans, mollusks, milk, eggs, sesame, or any of the 14 major allergens. No shared lines. Every batch is processed by our own trained staff on dedicated kosher-certified equipment.

Dried cherries (Prunus avium for sweet varieties, Prunus cerasus for tart) are whole or halved pitted cherries that have been carefully dried and sweetened with cane sugar. The drying process intensifies the cherry’s natural flavor, already rich, fruity, and complex, into something almost jam-like in sweetness with a lingering tartness. Tart cherries in particular have drawn significant research attention for their anthocyanin and polyphenol content. Whether you’re snacking, baking, or building a trail mix, dried cherries bring a depth of flavor that few other dried fruits can match.

These cherries contain added cane sugar, which helps balance the tartness that intensifies during drying. For anyone monitoring sugar intake, they remain a flavorful option when used in moderation.

Dried cherries are whole or halved pitted cherries (Prunus avium for sweet varieties, Prunus cerasus for tart) that have been dehydrated and, in our case, sweetened with cane sugar. Cherries have been cultivated around the Black and Caspian Seas for thousands of years and were brought to North America by European settlers. Michigan is the leading U.S. producer of tart cherries, accounting for over 70% of domestic production. The drying process concentrates the cherry’s flavor compounds, already complex and rich, into an intensely fruity, almost jam-like piece. Tart cherry varieties in particular contain high concentrations of anthocyanins and polyphenols that have drawn significant scientific research interest.

Anthocyanins and Polyphenols

Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) get their deep red-purple color from anthocyanins. Dried cherries retain anthocyanins.

Vitamin C

Cherries are a recognized source of vitamin C, USDA FoodData Central reports approximately 7 mg per 100g for sweet cherries, with tart cherries running higher.

Potassium

A 1 oz serving of dried cherries provides approximately 176 mg of potassium.

Dietary Fiber

Dried cherries provide approximately 1.5-2g of dietary fiber per ounce.

Natural Energy and Iron

Cherries provide natural fruit sugars for readily available energy and contain small amounts of iron (approximately 0.7 mg per ounce), a modest but real contribution to daily intake. Plant-based iron absorption improves when consumed alongside vitamin C sources. As with all foods, individual results may vary. Gerbs makes no medical claims.

Straight Snacking

Dried cherries are rich enough and intensely flavored enough to satisfy as a standalone snack even in small amounts. Their jam-like sweetness and slight tartness are deeply satisfying. A small handful delivers real flavor and nutrition, potassium, vitamin C, and anthocyanins, in a compact, portable format.

Oatmeal

Add dried cherries to hot oatmeal before serving, they soften slightly in the heat and release their flavor into the bowl. Pair with vanilla and a pinch of salt for a cherry-oatmeal that tastes genuinely indulgent. They also work beautifully in overnight oats, where they plump overnight and soften to a near-fresh texture.

Baking

Dried cherries are exceptional in dark chocolate baked goods, cherry and dark chocolate is one of the most classic flavor pairings in confectionery. Use in brownies, cookies, granola bars, and trail mix baked goods where their tartness cuts through rich chocolate flavors. They also work well in scones and muffins as a standalone dried fruit addition.

Trail Mix

Dried cherries anchor a high-flavor trail mix, combine with banana chips, raisins, and sunflower seeds for a mix that punches well above its weight on flavor. Their rich, fruity depth and tartness keep trail mix from tasting monotonous, which matters when you’re eating the same snack repeatedly in outdoor settings.

Grain and Rice Dishes

Add dried cherries to farro, quinoa, and wild rice dishes alongside herbs and a vinaigrette for a savory grain salad with fruity punctuation. They pair well with fresh thyme, shallots, and roasted root vegetables in autumn-inspired grain bowls and stuffings.