There are so many uses for cherry pits and stems -- don't waste a single piece of the fruit when preserving for your pantry!
Ways to Use Cherry Stems
Drying Cherry stems is a way to preserve another portion of the fruit and have uses for it later. You can dry in your dehydrator much the same ways as the fruit for 5-10hrs or place on paper towels or paper grocery bags and allow to air dry. Store in an airtight container.
Cherry Tea - Dry, powder, and use to make Cherry Tea. You can mix 1 teaspoon of cherry stem powder with a pinch of cinnamon into a fine mesh tea strainer/bag, and boil for five minutes for a tea.
- Drying options - place on a paper or tea towel and dry for a few days on your countertop.
- Dry in a dehydrator at 125F until fully dry. Usually takes 6-10 hrs.
Make sure to condition and store in airtight containers. Powder after with a bullet blender or coffee grinder as you need it.
Ways to Use Cherry Pits
- Cherry Pit Vinegar
- Cherry Pit Heating Pad
- Cherry Pit Liqueur
- Cherry Pit Fuel / BBQ
- Cherry Pit infused Whipped Cream - or any other flavoring you would like to add to like hot chocolate, etc.
- Cherry Pit Syrup: Bring one cup of cherry pits, two cups of sugar, and two cups of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and let return to room temp. Pour in a jar, pits and all, and just spoon or pour off syrup when needed. Store in the fridge for up to three weeks, or strain pits out and freeze.
Are Cherry Pits Poisonous?
According to Poisoncontrol.org yes, but:
"Although the seeds of stone fruits naturally contain cyanide, small unintentional ingestions generally do not cause harm. However, swallowing, crushing, or chewing the seeds should be avoided. Ingesting stone fruit pits, kernels, or seeds as complementary or alternative medicine is unsupported by scientific evidence and is dangerous and possibly deadly." (Read more from the source)
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Cherry Pits
- 2 Cups Water
- 2 Cups Sugar
Instructions
- Bring cherry pits, water and sugar to a boil
- Remove from heat and allow to come to room temperature
- Strain syrup from pits into an airtight jar
- Refrigerate for 2-3 weeks.
Darcy's Tips
Nutritional information is an estimation only. Nutrient information for dehydrated foods is based on fresh. Use ¼ of the servicing size for the same nutrient information. Thus 1 Cup of fresh fruit has the same sugars as ¼ dried.
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Robb says
Used Darcy’s recipe last year, and it turned out great. This year had to search recipe, made 8-pint jars, water bathed and they all sealed! Thanks for the great tip.
Kimberly says
Hey Robb. Did you have to add any lemon juice? I have several cherry pits from making jam last night and want to can the syrup as well. TIA
Sheryl says
Dang! I just threw away my stems. But I still have my pit. I’m going to make the simple syrup. Thank you.
Darcy says
You're welcome!