Summer brings many joys: long, warm days, a more outdoorsy lifestyle, and a renewed sense of freedom and energy. All we need to add is a cherry on top. Fortunately, summer is also the season for stone fruit, and South Africa happens to produce a splendid variety of locally grown, top-quality cherries. These glossy, jewel-like fruits add vibrant colour, flavour, and a celebratory feel to our summer tables.
While it might seem that nothing beats snacking on a bowl of fresh cherries, they are more than just a juicy treat to pop into your mouth. With their unique balance of tartness and sweetness, cherries are an inspired ingredient that brings irresistible flavour and colour to both sweet and savoury dishes. In fact, they are so versatile that you can enjoy cherry season from the moment you wake up until you go to bed.
Cherries aren’t just delicious; they may be small fruits, but they carry a significant nutritional value. They are naturally low in calories and fat, while being rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. Cherries are also a good source of fibre, which supports gut health. Their deep red colour is more than just attractive; it indicates that cherries contain antioxidants like anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory properties and support overall wellness. That bowl of fresh cherries offers the best of both worlds – an indulgence that is also good for you.
However, when it comes to cherry season, don’t just snack on them. Juicy Delicious has compiled a collection of new cherry recipes created by recipe developer Emma Nkunzana and Chef Jenny Morris.
Start your day brilliantly with a Cherry Vanilla Latte, followed by a Cherry Oat Bowl or a Brie, Cherry and Herb Omelette for breakfast. Gleaming red cherries will add a touch of elegance to lunchtime salads or savoury tarts such as a Goat’s Cheese and Cherry Tart or Beef Carpaccio with Pickled Cherries drizzled with a mustard cream dressing and served with fresh cherries.
Summer nights will be enhanced with main courses featuring cherries as the star ingredient for tasty sauces and glazes such as this recipe for Cherry and Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. For a dinner showstopper, serve Cherry Cured Salmon Gravlax, where a whole salmon or trout is cured in cherry-flavoured salt, then thinly sliced and served with mini potato rösti.
Cherries always add moreish flavour and great panache to desserts. You will wow friends and family with a Chilled Almond Meringue Roulade filled with fresh Cherries, Mascarpone, and cream, and delight all ages with Choc Cherry Bark.
When it comes to your festive and holiday entertaining, don’t hesitate to be generous with cherries. For instance, make this Cherry Christmas Wreath Bread the tear-and-share centrepiece of your festive table. The brioche-style dough is filled with a homemade cherry marmalade and encircles a baked camembert, drizzled with a gold-dusted cherry glaze. There’s also a Platter with Cherry and Bacon-wrapped Skewers served with a Gorgonzola dipping sauce, Crostini topped with Baked Cherries and Ricotta with Honey & Thyme, as well as sensational Upside-down Cherry, Blue Cheese and Balsamic puff pastry squares.
And, if your festive entertaining is not complete without a signature cocktail to celebrate coming together this summer, here’s a new idea. This Cherry Bomb cocktail recipe combines fresh cherries and Darling Brew’s playful Cherry Bomb. This new sparkling hopped cooler offers both bold cherry flavour and subtle hoppy notes that balance sweetness. It’s a refreshing, non-alcoholic, and versatile ingredient that shines in this Summer of ’25 cocktail or mocktail.
This summer, make the most of cherry season all day long. Whether you’re starting your morning with a burst of fresh energy, preparing light, flavourful lunches, organising elegant dinners for friends, or celebrating the festive season with family, cherries are the bright red jewels that make every occasion more special and memorable.
Follow @juicydelicioussa on Instagram or visit www.juicydelicious.co.za
