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Bing Cherry (/ˈbɪŋ ˈtʃer.i/)

Prunus avium
Also known asSweet Cherry

A large, dark-red sweet cherry variety known for its rich flavor, firm texture, and exceptional sweetness. Bing cherries are among the most widely cultivated and commercially recognized sweet cherries in North America.

Parent:Cherry
Substitutions:Rainier CherryBlack Cherry
About

Bing cherries are among the most recognizable sweet cherry varieties in the world. Developed in Oregon during the late nineteenth century, they quickly became the benchmark against which many other sweet cherries are compared.

Their popularity stems from a combination of characteristics that consumers and cooks alike value: large size, deep mahogany-red coloring, firm flesh, excellent shelf appeal, and exceptional sweetness. When fully ripe, Bing cherries deliver a rich, concentrated fruit flavor that makes them ideal for both fresh eating and culinary applications.

Though most commonly enjoyed out of hand, Bing cherries are highly versatile in the kitchen. They appear in pies, crisps, cobblers, tarts, sauces, preserves, ice creams, cocktails, syrups, and compotes. Their deep color and robust flavor also pair beautifully with dark chocolate, almonds, vanilla, citrus, pork, duck, and aged cheeses.

Today, Bing cherries remain one of the most important commercial sweet cherry varieties grown throughout the Pacific Northwest and other temperate fruit-growing regions around the world.

Flavor Profile

Bing cherries are intensely sweet with concentrated stone-fruit flavors reminiscent of plum, black cherry, and ripe berries. Their flavor is rich and full-bodied while maintaining enough acidity to prevent excessive sweetness.

As the fruit ripens, its sweetness intensifies while subtle tart notes fade into the background. This balance makes Bing cherries equally enjoyable for fresh eating, baking, preserves, and beverage applications.

Compared to lighter sweet cherry varieties, Bing cherries generally possess deeper fruit character and greater flavor concentration.

SWEET
FRUITY
BRIGHT

Texture Profile

Fresh Bing cherries are firm, dense, and exceptionally juicy with smooth flesh that delivers a satisfying bite.

As they ripen, the flesh softens slightly while retaining enough structure to perform well in pies, tarts, preserves, sauces, and roasting applications. Their high juice content contributes richness and moisture to both fresh and cooked preparations.

SOFT
FIRM
JUICY
Culinary Use

Bing cherries are most commonly enjoyed fresh but are equally valuable in baking, preserving, and beverage production. They are frequently used in pies, cobblers, crisps, galettes, cakes, muffins, preserves, jams, syrups, fruit sauces, ice creams, cocktails, and dessert garnishes. Their rich flavor also works well in savory preparations alongside duck, pork, game meats, balsamic reductions, and cheese boards. Because of their balance of sweetness and acidity, Bing cherries maintain flavor complexity even after prolonged cooking.

Cooking Methods
Raw No heat applied. Roasted Slow, dry heat in an oven for browning. Simmered Gentle cooking in liquid just below the boiling point. Baked Dry heat in an oven, typically at lower temperatures than roasting. Poached Gently cooked in hot liquid.
Best Uses
Charcuterie & Cheese Boards Garnishes Preserves & Jams Snacks Baked Goods Desserts Cocktails Mocktails

Prep Notes

Wash thoroughly before use and remove stems. Most culinary applications require pitting, though whole cherries may be used for infusions, garnishes, and some preserves.

A cherry pitter significantly speeds preparation when working with large quantities.

Washing Notes

Rinse gently under cool running water immediately before use. Avoid washing prior to storage, as excess moisture can accelerate spoilage.

Safety Notes

Cherry pits should not be consumed. Exercise caution when serving whole cherries to children or guests unfamiliar with the presence of pits.

Storage Notes

Store Bing cherries refrigerated and unwashed until ready to use. Keep them dry and loosely contained to promote airflow and reduce moisture accumulation.

For optimal flavor and texture, consume within several days of purchase.

Freezer Friendly

Bing cherries freeze exceptionally well. For best results, wash, dry, pit, and freeze in a single layer before transferring to long-term storage containers.

Frozen cherries are excellent for smoothies, baking, sauces, preserves, and cooked fruit preparations.

Shelf Life

Fresh Bing cherries typically maintain peak quality for approximately one week under refrigeration, though flavor and texture are best within the first several days after harvest.

Frozen cherries can maintain quality for many months when stored properly.

Spoilage Signs

Discard cherries that become excessively soft, wrinkled, moldy, leaking, fermented-smelling, or visibly damaged. Sticky residue and skin collapse are common signs of deterioration.

Storage Locations
Refrigerator Standard cold storage for perishables. Freezer Long-term sub-zero storage.
Storage Methods
Airtight Container The gold standard for dry goods (flour, sugar, cereal) and leftovers to prevent staleness and pests. Keep Dry

Did You Know

The Bing cherry was developed in Oregon in the late 1800s and was named after Ah Bing, a Chinese orchard foreman who played an important role in the variety’s cultivation and success.

Buying Tips

Choose cherries that are firm, glossy, deeply colored, and free from wrinkles, soft spots, or stem-end shriveling. Fresh green stems are often an indicator of recent harvest and good quality.

Seasonal Notes

Bing cherries have a relatively short growing season, typically appearing from late spring through midsummer. Peak availability generally occurs during June and July in North America.

Cultural Notes

Bing cherries have become one of the defining fruits of the Pacific Northwest and are strongly associated with American summer harvest traditions. Their popularity helped establish sweet cherries as a major commercial fruit crop throughout Oregon, Washington, and California.

Where to Buy

Shop this item online from trusted retailers.

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Nutrition Facts Servings per container: ; Serving size: 100 g (100g) Amount per serving: Calories 63.3, Total Fat 0.2g, Sodium 0mg, Total Carbohydrate 16.2g, Total Sugars 13.9g, Protein 1.0g, Calcium 12.3mg, Iron 0.1mg, Potassium 229.6mg.
More nutrition
Soluble Fiber not listed, Insoluble Fiber not listed, Sugar Alcohols not listed, Net Carbs 16.2g, Vitamin C 10.4mg, Vitamin B6 0.0mg, Phosphorus 23.3mg, Magnesium 12.1mg, Zinc 0.1mg, Copper 0.1mg, Manganese 0.1mg, Molybdenum 1.0mcg, Water 82.2g.
Nutrition information is estimated using USDA FoodData Central and other reference sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient variety, preparation method, brand, ripeness, processing, and measurement accuracy.

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