Cherries hold a special place in American culture, both in legend and on our plates. But when it comes to bold flavor and versatility, black cherries stand out. They’re a key ingredient in countless desserts and drinks, make outstanding jams and ice creams, and happen to be one of our most popular craft soda flavors.
Now, let’s dive into nine things you probably didn’t know about black cherries.
1. Black Cherries and Red Cherries Are Completely Different
While red cherries—like Bing and Lambert varieties—are known for their sweetness, black cherries bring a distinctive tartness to the table. They’re also smaller than red cherries, but each type has its strengths. Red cherries shine in pies and ice creams, while black cherries elevate desserts and drinks—like our refreshing Buena Vista Black Cherry Soda.
The table below highlights key differences between these two popular cherry varieties.
| Aspect | Red Cherries | Black Cherries |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Bright red to deep red | Dark red to almost black |
| Taste | Tart to mildly sweet | Sweet with a rich, deeper flavor |
| Texture | Firmer, slightly crisp | Softer, juicier |
| Common Varieties | Montmorency, Morello | Bing, Chelan, Sweetheart |
| Uses | Best for baking, juices, preserves | Best for fresh eating, desserts, jams |
| Antioxidant Content | High, with a focus on tart cherry benefits | Higher anthocyanin content, beneficial for inflammation |
2. Black Cherries Are Packed with Health Benefits
All cherries contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health, but black cherries go the extra mile. They’re rich in tocopherols (a form of vitamin E that promotes skin and brain health), fiber, terpenes, and glycosides. Their benefits range from reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular health to relieving gout pain and enhancing eye function.
3. Black Cherry Wood is a Furniture-Maker’s Dream
For centuries, black cherry wood has been prized for its durability, smooth texture, and deep reddish-brown hue. Without it, the American fine furniture industry might not be what it is today. Not only does the black cherry tree provide delicious fruit, but its wood is also transformed into stunning, long-lasting furniture—making it a true gift that keeps on giving.
4. Black Cherry Trees Can Live for Centuries
Unlike most cherry trees, which fade after about 20 years, black cherry trees are built for longevity. Many reach 100 years old with ease, and some have even been known to live for 250 years. So rest assured, the supply of black cherry flavor for our craft cherry soda isn’t running out anytime soon.
5. Black Cherry Trees Are Considered a Nuisance in Some Places
Cherry blossoms are adored worldwide, but the black cherry tree—a species native to North America—has a less warm welcome in other parts of the world. In Europe, for example, black cherry trees have spread rapidly, earning them an invasive reputation. While no one knows exactly how they crossed the Atlantic, Europeans aren’t too fond of their flavor and seem indifferent to their beautiful blooms. Their solution? Get rid of them.
“Black cherry trees should not be planted near walkways, driveways, and around parking lots because of the amount of messy leaf litter they produce. The cherries can also stain concrete, car exteriors, and roofing. These trees can be an invasive nuisance in the landscape due to their aggressive weedy nature with seedlings coming up here and there in beds."
—Duck Boot Garden
6. The Midwest is Prime Black Cherry Territory
Although black cherry trees grow across the eastern United States, they thrive best in the upper Midwest, particularly in Michigan and Wisconsin. These states are also top producers of sweet cherries, thanks to their cool climate and alkaline soil—conditions that cherry trees love.
7. Black Cherry Trees Take Their Time to Bear Fruit
If you’re planting a cherry tree for quick harvests, black cherries might not be your best bet. While sweet cherry trees typically bear fruit within four to five years, black cherry trees require patience—sometimes taking up to a decade before producing their first crop. Perhaps that’s one reason Europeans are so eager to eliminate them.
8. There’s a World Championship for Cherry Pit Spitting
Before the age of smartphones, people found entertainment in simpler (and stranger) ways—like spitting cherry pits for distance. Every July, Eau Claire, Michigan, hosts the International Cherry Pit-Spitting Championship, where competitors battle for the longest spit. Think you have what it takes? The world record stands at an impressive 93 feet, 6 inches—better start practicing!
9. Wild Black Cherries Are Edible—but Watch for the Pit
Come late summer, wild black cherry trees are heavy with clusters of small, dark fruit. While they might resemble blueberries at first glance, a single bite will remind you otherwise—each one contains a cherry pit. Birds and wildlife love them, and while some find them too tart to eat straight from the tree, others can’t get enough.
Black Cherry FAQs
Black cherries are a unique fruit known for their deep color, rich flavor, and various culinary and medicinal uses. The following FAQ section addresses common questions about this versatile and flavorful fruit.
Black cherries (Prunus serotina) are native to North America and can be found growing from Canada to Mexico. They thrive in forests, especially in the eastern and central United States, and have been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries for both food and medicinal purposes.
Unlike sweet cherries (Prunus avium), black cherries are smaller, darker, and have a more tart, slightly bitter taste. They are commonly used for jams, syrups, and liqueurs rather than fresh eating.
Black cherry wood has a pleasant, sweet aroma, which intensifies when the wood is freshly cut or burned. This distinctive scent makes it popular for woodworking, furniture-making, and even smoking meats.
Yes, but their taste can be quite tart and slightly astringent. Most people prefer to consume black cherries in processed forms like juices, jams, or baked goods.
Indigenous tribes and early settlers used black cherry bark to make teas and syrups for coughs and colds. The fruit itself has also been used as a natural remedy for joint pain and digestive issues.
Black cherries have a deep, rich flavor that enhances alcoholic beverages, especially brandies, wines, and cordials. Their natural tartness balances the sweetness in many liqueur recipes, creating complex, flavorful drinks.
Whether you love them for their tart flavor, their health benefits, or their role in crafting fine furniture, black cherries are more fascinating than they might seem. And if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy them, Buena Vista Black Cherry soda is a great place to start! Rocky Mountain Soda Co. is proud to offer Buena Vista Black Cherry soda - a standout among dozens of decadant flavors in our natural craft soda line. Visit our online store to order your own today!
Order Buena Vista Black Cherry Soda
Order our natural, full-flavored black cherry soda through the Rocky Mountain Soda Co. online soda shop - available in packs of 12 to 48 bottles or cans.Order Black Cherry Soda
