How to Store Fresh Cherries (and Make Them Last Longer)
By The Pure Otago Cherry Experts
TL;DR (Quick Answer): Store fresh cherries in the fridge as soon as they arrive, in their original packaging. Kept refrigerated, they'll stay fresh for 7–10 days. Cherries are highly sensitive to heat, so don't leave them at room temperature — they'll soften and spoil quickly. There's no need to wash them; Pure Otago Cherries arrive pre-washed and ready to eat straight from the box.
There's nothing worse than opening a beautiful box of cherries and losing half to bad storage. Cherries are one of the most delicate summer fruits — they don't like heat, they don't like being wet, and they definitely don't like being forgotten on the bench. Here's everything you need to know to make yours last as long as they possibly can.
How should I store cherries when they arrive?
Pop them straight in the fridge and eat them as soon as you can. Cherries are happiest left in the packaging they arrive in — it's designed to protect them and keep air flow around the fruit. Don't decant them into fancy fruit bowls or airtight containers.
Should I wash the cherries when they arrive?
No — our cherries are washed and properly sanitised just before they're packed, so there's no need to wash them yourself. If they've been sitting in the fridge for a few days and you want to refresh them, a quick rinse under cold water is fine. But straight out of the box? They're ready to eat.
How long do fresh cherries last in the fridge?
Usually 7–10 days when properly refrigerated. Because ours are packed and shipped within 24 hours of picking, you're getting the maximum possible shelf life once they arrive.
Can I leave cherries at room temperature?
We really don't recommend it. Cherries are very sensitive to heat and will go soft — and eventually mouldy — pretty quickly if they're not kept cold. Even a few hours on a warm bench in summer can shorten their shelf life dramatically. Fridge is best. Always.
Can I freeze cherries?
Yes! Freezing is a great option if you've got more cherries than you can eat, or if you want to save some of the summer for later. Here's the method:
- Wash and dry your cherries
- Pit them first (this saves so much hassle later — trust us)
- Spread them in a single layer on a tray and freeze until solid
- Transfer to a suitable freezer container or bag
- Label with the date
How long do frozen cherries keep?
Up to 12 months for maximum flavour. After that, they're still safe to eat, but the taste and texture start to deteriorate. Frozen cherries are perfect for smoothies, baking, sauces, and jams.
Can I dry cherries or preserve them?
Yes, both work beautifully — just remember to pit them first. Drying gives you chewy, intensely flavoured cherries that are amazing in muesli or trail mix. Preserving in syrup or making cherry jam is a lovely way to have Central Otago cherries on toast in the middle of winter.
What are the signs that cherries have gone off?
Look (and smell) for:
- Mould — visible fuzzy spots on the skin
- Shrivelling or puckering — skin looks dry and wrinkled
- Sour or fermented smell — sharp, unpleasant, not fresh
- Brown skins — colour has gone dull or brown-tinged
- Very soft flesh — mushy rather than firm
If you spot one bad cherry, remove it immediately — mould spreads fast in an enclosed container.
Why do some cherries arrive split or rotten, and what should I do?
This can happen occasionally, and we totally get how frustrating it is. Cherries are very sensitive to heat, and sometimes during transit they warm up just a little too much, which causes them to expand and split. Little cracks or splits don't affect eating quality at all — the cherry is still delicious.
However, if cherries are left in warm conditions and splitting for too long, the juices from the splits can turn to rot or mould very quickly. If your cherries arrive in this condition, don't panic — we totally get it and we'll sort you out.
What to do:
- Take a couple of photos of the affected cherries
- Fill in a Quality Claim form (linked here, on our contact page, on your delivery notification, AND on the QR code on the card in the box)
- Do this within 24 hours of delivery so we can act on it quickly
- We'll process the claim and get you a replacement box ASAP 🍒
We take every claim seriously — the last thing we want is anyone missing out on the cherry experience they paid for.
The Bottom Line
Cherries reward good storage — and they punish bad storage even more. Fridge, original packaging, eat within 7–10 days, freeze what you can't finish. Simple rules that let you get maximum joy from every single cherry.
And if anything ever goes wrong on arrival? We've got you. 🍒
