What are Rainier Cherries?

I love these cherries. They are so tasty and delicious.

I am diabetic and rainier cherries are one of my favorite treats! Most people might treat themselves to fancy chocolates or sweets, I treat myself to fruit. The occasional mango or pomegranate (still dying to try passion fruit but alas I live in Iowa), but I look forward to cherry season every year.

I was raised with Rainier cherries. Mother would make a net, each year expanding it, and we would go out and throw it over the tree so the birds would not get the cherries. When they were ready to eat, we would go out and pick them. We would save some for daily eating, but most of the time, most of them were collected so we could can them. After cooking, they turn white, but boy are they super good during winter months after they have been canned.

For the person that was asking about diabetes, yes they are all right to eat, anywhere from 7 to 15 at a time. You can count that as 15 carbs.

@ankara-- I don't know about the calorie content but I do know that cherries in general are suitable for diabetics because they have a low glycemic index. The glycemic index of Rainier cherries might be a bit higher because it is sweeter. But still, I think it's fine in moderation for diabetics. It's always a good idea to check blood sugar levels after eating a new food though.

Rainier cherries are also rich in antioxidants. I personally love them. They're my favorite because I've never come across a tart Rainier cherry in a batch. I've even frozen them so that I can enjoy them after the season is over and they still tasted great thawed.

How many calories are in Rainier cherries? Is it more or less the same as other cherries?

Is this a good fruit for diabetics?

I've never tried Rainier cherries. They don't look that great but reading all these amazing reviews here, I'm intrigued.

At the same time though, I probably shouldn't bother with that price. Plus, I prefer making cherry pie or cherry jam rather than eating fresh fruit and I know I can't afford to do that with these cherries.

I love, love, love these cherries. It is so hard to eat any other type of cherry. They may be a little bit more in price, but I get those as treat for myself. They're better than sweets.

I remember eating my fill of these cherries when I was kid. They were growing on the farm my grandfather worked at so we would pick some to take home but they never made it.

Someone said here on this blog, if you don't want to buy these then do not ever try them. If you do, you are hooked. I do not care what the price is now. They are the best fruit ever and the season is way too short. I buy as many as I can in two weeks. A year is a long time to wait. The Washington variety is the best.

I'm a Rainier Cherry snob, though. I won't eat the California variety, because they don't taste right. They're very bland, compared to the "true" Rainier Cherries from Washington.

These cherries are expensive but well worth treating yourself to. I have never come across one bad one in the bag I buy. They are only in the grocery stores by me for about two weeks and then I have to wait another year. Just bought some yesterday and really enjoying them! These are the best cherries you will ever taste.

My name is Shilo. I love these cherries. They are such a treat at this time of the year. Enjoy!

Best dang cherries I have ever had! Rainier cherries. Yum!

Several years ago I purchased some small trees from a gardening catalog. At that time I received a bonus tree with that purchase. Turns out today I just found out it is a Ranier Cherry tree and it has been producing for years and I did not even know what I had. The birds have surely enjoyed them but now I will be enjoying them also.

I wonder if they also come in dried cherries variety.

I will have to try them when they are in season. I love cherries, bing cherries being the best but I have not tried ranier cherries yet.

I truly prefer these to the bing variety. They are incredibly sweet and taste best when they are really chilled from the refrigerator.

But, that price has to go. It's way too high for my budget, but I have bought these so often. For 2010, I saw these last weekend, and there was not a question in my mind that I would be purchasing. If you want to stay away, never try these. You guys know I am kidding. Just the most delicious cherries!

Rainier cherries are the absolute best fruit ever. It is a shame that the season is so short. I too, wait for their arrival at our local grocery stores.

I have been buying bing cherries for a long time and have not wanted to try the rainer cherries because I associated the yellow color with sour and not sweet. I was in the store and over heard a customer talking to someone else about how sweet they are. and they are awesome.

I heard about Rainier cherries earlier this year (2010) from a friend in Nevada. I just purchased some tonight at my local Basha's supermarket. The price of $5.99 is a bit high, but the flavor is superb. I look forward to next year's crop!

--Arizona Rainier cherry fan

i just love rainier cherries. They are my favorite in the world, and i look for them in the grocery store and at costco every year. i am too happy tonight. they are now in my possession, with half a bag consumed already.

Is it necessary to have more than one Rainier cherry tree to cross pollinate?

I really like Rainier Cherries, and when they are ripe, they are sublime. My understanding is that they are a very fragile variety which increases their cost drastically.

Rainiers are usually significantly more expensive than bing cherries.