Dried Cherries | Sweetened

Gerbs Dried Cherries are rich, fruity, and deeply flavored, sweetened with cane sugar and produced in our dedicated 14-allergen-free facility in Johnston, Rhode Island. Free from all 14 major allergens with no preservatives. One of the most intensely flavored dried fruits available, with the anthocyanin content of tart cherries and a satisfying chew that makes them equally at home in trail mixes, baked goods, and oatmeal.

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, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, dairy, eggs, sesame, or any of the 14 major allergens. No co-packers. No shared lines. Every batch is processed by our own trained staff on equipment dedicated exclusively to non-GMO, vegan, and kosher production. That is the Gerbs Guarantee.

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.

Allergen Declaration

Free From: Gluten, Wheat, Legume Family (Peanuts, Soybeans, Lentils, Chickpeas, Lupin, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Navy Beans, String Beans, Fava Beans, Green Peas, Split Peas, Black-Eyed Peas, Mung Beans, Adzuki Beans, Tamarind), Tree Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Pine Nuts, Coconut), Shellfish (Crustaceans & Mollusks), Fish, Sesame, Milk/Dairy, Eggs, Mustard, Sulfur Dioxide, Potassium Sorbate.

All raw ingredients are processed, packaged, handled, stored, and shipped by trained staff in our family owned & operated facility in Johnston, Rhode Island on dedicated non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher equipment. No co-packers. No co-manufacturers. For anyone with a mild to severe food allergy or a family with one, we wish to assure you that this is why Gerbs handles all aspects of production & operation. If you have any questions about your allergy and our products, please contact us at [email protected] or (401) 231-5181 before ordering.

What Are Dried Cherries?

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.

Key Health Benefits of Dried Cherries

Anthocyanins and Polyphenols

Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) are among the richest dietary sources of anthocyanins, the pigment compounds responsible for the cherry’s deep red-purple color and much of its antioxidant capacity. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have examined tart cherry consumption in relation to exercise recovery, inflammation, and sleep, with the NIH-indexed literature showing promising (though not conclusive) findings. Dried cherries retain meaningful anthocyanin concentrations.

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. Vitamin C supports immune function, collagen synthesis, and acts as an antioxidant. The drying process causes some vitamin C loss, but meaningful amounts remain in the dried product.

Potassium

A 1 oz serving of dried cherries provides approximately 176 mg of potassium. Potassium supports fluid balance, normal heart rhythm, and blood pressure regulation. The American Heart Association identifies potassium-rich diets as associated with reduced stroke and hypertension risk.

Dietary Fiber

Dried cherries provide approximately 1.5-2g of dietary fiber per ounce. Fiber supports digestive health, promotes satiety, and feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The Mayo Clinic identifies adequate fiber intake as associated with long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health.

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.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 oz (28g) | Calories: 93 | Total Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Total Carbohydrate: 24g | Dietary Fiber: 1.5g | Total Sugars: 21g (includes added sugar) | Protein: 0.5g | Potassium: 176mg (4% DV) | Vitamin C: 2mg | Iron: 0.7mg (4% DV)

Values are approximate and based on USDA FoodData Central data for sweetened dried cherries. Actual values may vary by batch.

Flavor & Texture Profile

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.

Ingredients

Cherries, Cane Sugar.

How to Use Dried Cherries

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.

Storage Recommendations

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Gerbs Dried Cherries safe for people with shellfish allergies?

Yes. Our facility has never processed shellfish, crustaceans, mollusks, or any seafood of any kind. The allergen-free production environment covers all 14 major allergens including all shellfish categories. Gerbs Dried Cherries are safe for individuals with shellfish and all other listed allergen sensitivities.

Are Gerbs Dried Cherries gluten-free?

Yes. Our facility has never handled gluten, wheat, or any gluten-containing grain. All production equipment is dedicated gluten-free, making these dried cherries appropriate for individuals with celiac disease.

Do Gerbs Dried Cherries contain added sugar?

Yes. Our dried cherries contain added cane sugar to balance the tartness characteristic of dried tart cherry varieties. The ingredient list reflects this, cherries and cane sugar. The added sugar is what transforms naturally tart dried cherries into a snackable, broadly appealing product.

What type of cherries are used: sweet or tart?

We source quality dried cherries from our ingredient suppliers. Commercial dried cherries most commonly use Montmorency tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) or Bing sweet cherries (Prunus avium), or blends of both. The specific variety may vary by batch. Tart varieties produce a more complex, winier flavor; sweet varieties lean toward rich fruitiness. Either way, the cane sugar in our dried cherries balances the natural tartness.

How should I store Gerbs Dried Cherries?

Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. After opening, consume within 3 months. In hot or humid climates, refrigeration after opening is recommended and will extend freshness by several months. Dried cherries can clump in warm conditions, this is normal and does not indicate spoilage.