Dark Sweet Cherries

Store unwashed in a breathable container. Keep in the coldest part of your fridge. Wash just before eating. Freeze whole on a tray, then transfer to bags, or pit and freeze.

Look for firm, glossy cherries with no blemishes when buying.

Dark sweet cherries are less tart than sour cherries—eat fresh or use in desserts where you want natural sweetness.

A cherry pitter makes pit removal much faster if you're processing large quantities.

Frozen cherries work well in baked goods and don't need thawing first.

Chocolate (especially dark chocolate)

Vanilla

Almond and other stone fruit flavors

Lemon zest

Bourbon and whiskey

Leaving them at room temperature too long—they spoil quickly and lose firmness.

Washing before storage, which speeds mold growth.

Crushing pits when pitting by hand, which can affect flavor if any pit fragments end up in the fruit.