Cherries are beloved for their sweet and tangy flavor, making them a popular fruit for snacking, baking, and cooking. While many people are familiar with the more common cherry varieties like Bing, Rainier, and Montmorency, there are several lesser-known cherry cultivars that offer unique flavors and characteristics. In this article, we will explore some of these hidden gems.

Morello Cherries: Morello cherries, also known as sour cherries, are known for their deep red color and tart flavor. They are often used in cooking and baking, particularly in the preparation of cherry pies, preserves, and sauces. Morello cherries have a distinctive sweet-sour balance that sets them apart from the sweeter varieties.

Black Tartarian Cherries: Black Tartarian cherries are prized for their large size and rich, dark-red to almost black skin. They have a sweet and juicy flesh, making them a delightful choice for fresh eating. These cherries are often enjoyed straight from the tree, but they can also be used in various culinary applications.

Lapins Cherries: Lapins cherries are a sweet variety with a flavor profile that resembles Bing cherries, but they are slightly larger and have a firmer texture. These cherries are great for snacking and are also popular for making jams and jellies. They have a rich, sweet taste that is hard to resist.\

Balaton Cherries: Balaton cherries are unique for their dark red to almost purple skin and juicy, sweet-tart flesh. These cherries are excellent for both fresh consumption and processing into various cherry products, such as cherry juice and wine. Their distinct flavor sets them apart from other cherry varieties.
Stella Cherries: Stella cherries are known for their sweet, firm flesh and a glossy, dark-red appearance. They are self-pollinating, making them a popular choice for backyard growers. The sweet, mild flavor of Stella cherries makes them a fantastic option for fresh eating and adding to fruit salads.

North Star Cherries: North Star cherries are another sour cherry variety, perfect for baking and cooking. They are a bit smaller and brighter red than the Morello cherries, with a tangy, acidic taste. North Star cherries are commonly used in pies, cobblers, and other desserts, where their tartness shines.
Sandra Rose Cherries: Sandra Rose cherries are a newer variety, known for their attractive dark red skin and sweet, crisp flesh. They are great for fresh snacking and can be used in various culinary creations, such as fruit salads, smoothies, and more.
Emperor Francis Cherries: Emperor Francis cherries are sweet, firm, and slightly elongated, with a golden-yellow to red skin. These cherries are versatile and can be enjoyed fresh, used in baking, or processed into jams and sauces. They have a delightful sweet flavor with a hint of tartness.