Cherries are a delicious and healthy food. Unfortunately, cherries happen to contain large, inedible seeds. The drupe is the last thing you want to bite into when eating a fruit salad or a slice of homemade cherry pie. The three main methods for preparing cherries include cutting, picking, or pushing the seeds out.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cutting and Removing the Seeds
Step 1. Set aside the necessary ingredients
You will need the following:
- Cherry.
- A knife.
- A cutting board.
Step 2. Wash and inspect the cherries
If there are bruises, cracks, or mildew spots then throw them away and get another one. If the cherry is fine then move on.
Wash the cherries in water about 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius) above room temperature to prevent fruit damage
Step 3. Look for "signs"
On each cherry there will be a small line that looks a bit like a small valley or hollow at the top. We'll call it a "sign". Place the marked cherry side on the cutting board.
Step 4. Carefully place your knife at the mark and press down
Stop when your knife hits the cherry seeds.
Step 5. Twist the cherry along the tip of the knife
You should end up where you started, and make a straight cut along the mark and around the other side. Gently twist the two halves of the cherry until they are removed from the seeds.
Step 6. Remove seeds and stems
Repeat this process until you have as many cherries as you want.
Method 2 of 3: Picking Out the Seeds
Step 1. Find a paper clip of the appropriate size
You will need one that is no wider than the cherry pit. Wash before use.
Step 2. Wash and inspect the cherries
If there are bruises, cracks, or mildew spots then throw them away and get another one. If the cherry is fine then move on.
Wash the cherries in water about 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius) above room temperature to prevent fruit damage
Step 3. Push one end of the paper clip into the cherry from the side of the stem (top)
Try to stay close to the center, making sure not to cut too many cherries unnecessarily. Stop pushing the clip when it hits the seed.
Step 4. Twist the paper clip around the seed
Stay as close to the seeds as possible to avoid removing the flesh.
Step 5. Pull the stem to remove the seeds
If the stem has fallen, use a paperclip as a lever to pull the seeds out. Repeat this process for as many additional cherries as you want.
Method 3 of 3: Pushing the Seeds Out
Step 1. Find a straw of the appropriate size
You will need a straw that is stiff enough but not too big. If it's too big it will create an unnecessarily large hole in the cherry.
Step 2. Wash and inspect the cherries
If there are bruises, cracks, or mildew spots then throw them away and get another one. If the cherry is fine then move on.
Wash the cherries in water that is about 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius) above room temperature to prevent fruit damage
Step 3. Hold the cherry between your first two fingers and thumb, but don't squeeze it
Hold it by the sides, and leave the top (with the stem) and the bottom exposed.
Step 4. Push the straw down around the stem until it reaches the cherry
Keep pushing the hose all the way through the reverse side. The seeds will be pushed out, hopefully with as little flesh entrainment as possible.
Step 5. Remove stems and seeds
Repeat these steps for the other cherries until you have the number of cherries you need.
Step 6. Done
Tips
- If you use a knife, it needs to be sharp in order to work efficiently. A dull knife will crush the fruit.
- Washing all the cherries you will be seeding before you begin the steps above will make this process more hygienic and efficient.
