How to pit cherries: Take a chopstick or other clean, narrow object, start at the stem end, and push through. Voila! This works for regular sweet cherries which are freestone fruit, where the pit (stone) grows loose within the fruit.
I just discovered that this doesn’t work with Rainier cherries, which are clingstone fruits, where the fruit is completely attached. If you need to pit Rainier cherries, you’ll have to do them the hard way. Run a sharp paring knife around each fruit (starting at the stem end), then twist each side of the fruit in opposite directions. You should be able to twist off one side easily. You’ll need to use your paring knife, or a grapefruit spoon, to remove the pit.
I just bought a bag of cherries and was wondering what the fastest way to pit them was – what a simple clever idea!
So glad I could help!
This is a great tip! I have chopsticks set aside specifically for this purpose.
Thanks! I appreciate your comment. :)
So simple but so genius…
Thanks for your comment! Come visit again soon. :)
Arghhh! I just pitted a pound. How come I never remember these shortcuts till afterwords?? GREG
Greg, thanks for commenting. I usually forget how easy it is to do as well. I’m much more likely to eat the cherries in a fruit salad if they are pitted.