You can store fresh Bing cherries in the refrigerator from three to five days, but don't wash them until it's time to eat them. The moisture from washing can cause them to spoil quickly. For those wanting to store Bing cherries to enjoy throughout the year, there are several methods to choose from. You can can them, freeze them or dry them, with or without the pits. Following a few tips will improve the quality of stored Bing cherries.
Leave at least ½ inch of space at the top of the freezing container and remove as much air as possible before freezing the cherries. Depending on your intended future use of the cherries, you can freeze them in syrup or sugar, or you can freeze them unsweetened. You can also freeze Bing cherries using the dry-pack method so that partial contents can be removed from the container without thawing the whole package. Properly packaged and frozen, the fruits should maintain high quality for approximately one year.
When preparing unpitted Bing cherries for canning, prick the skins on either side so that the fruit doesn’t split during processing. For variety, you can can Bing cherries in apple or white grape juice instead of water. Remember that Bing cherries are sweet, so reduce the added sugar. Store canned cherries in a dark, cool area. In areas where ambient temperatures are warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the cherries will keep for about nine months. At room temperature, storage time lasts up to 18 months.If stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, they can safely last for 24 months.
Make the drying process faster and preserve the color by pretreating the cherries. Add 2 to 2½ teaspoons ascorbic acid crystals to 1 quart cold water and soak the cherries. You can use vitamin C tablets instead of the ascorbic acid using one 6mg tablet to replace 1 tsp. acid. After the dried Bing cherries have cooled, you can package them for storage. Store small amounts of cherries in tightly covered glass jars or moisture-proof freezer containers, bags or boxes.
You can store dried Bing cherries that have been vacuum-packed in a cool area, about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, for up to four years. If stored at room temperature, they will keep for two years. In areas with high temperatures, 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, the vacuum-packed fruit can be stored for a year.
Fruit leathers are another way to dry and store Bing cherries. Bring your pureed cherries to a boil, then spoon the mixture onto a cookie sheet in strips. Let it dry, then store.
At low altitudes, Bing cherry jams will be process in less than 10 minutes, so sterilize the jars and lids before using them to prevent bacteria. Bing cherry jams tend to lose their flavor within a few months, so for the best quality you should eat them quickly. Store them in a dry, dark cool area up to approximately a year.