As foodservice chefs seek to further deepen flavor and continue to carve out differentiation from the competition, U.S. tart cherries are emerging as a quietly powerful ingredient that can successfully attract diner interest. Tart cherries bring a nuanced balance of acidity, depth and versatility that plays well across the menu, elevating both savory and sweet applications.

Montmorency tart cherries dominate the U.S. market, with Michigan producing about 60–70 percent of the crop. Other key growing states include Utah, Wisconsin, Washington, New York and Pennsylvania. Rarely sold fresh, most tart cherries are processed into frozen, canned, dried or juice formats—ideal for foodservice applications.

Montmorency tart cherries are known for their nuanced sweet-tart flavor— with countless foodservice applications. While the dominant note is a sharp, mouth-puckering acidity, beneath the tartness is a subtle sweetness. Far from cloying, it’s the cherry’s way of softening its own punch. Montmorency tart cherries leave a crisp, clean finish on the palate, forgoing any syrupy, overly sweet aftertaste.

Many dishes benefit from a “pop” of acid to cut through fat and richness and balance flavor components. “Chefs often use citrus or vinegar for this acid, but tart cherries can do this naturally, brightening flavors instead of overpowering other ingredients,” says consultant Chef Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN.

This underlying power of the pucker, so to speak, is merely one reason foodservice chefs should look to incorporate tart cherries across the menu. Consider the following five drivers that may impel a little cherry-picking in recipe ideation.

These chicken wings are dressed with a tart cherry barbecue glaze that catches the eye and pleases the palate.

1

VISUAL APPEAL

It may be one of the oldest and most hackneyed clichés in culinary conversation, but there’s fundamental truth in the “we eat with our eyes first” adage, and as such, it shouldn’t be minimized or dismissed. Numerous published studies over the last 20 years have connected various colors to appetite stimulation, menu item selection and consumption rates. Red typically comes out looking very good in this research.

Ruby-red tart cherries can ensure a dish gets a second or third look from would-be diners reviewing social media images prior to settling on a restaurant destination. In fact, 72 percent of TikTok users say they visit a restaurant with a menu item that looks appetizing (MGH TikTok Study, 2022). This aligns with findings from custom research conducted by Datassential in 2022 that found more than 60 percent of a representative sampling of the general population responded positively to “the pop of red” that tart cherries bring to a menu item. In a companion study of restaurant operators, more than 80 percent agreed that the bold color makes tart cherries a compelling option when considering a dish’s palette.

Another bonus? Tart cherries bring their natural hue to the menu at a time when artificial colors are on their way out. Diners attentive to such clean label issues are sure to take note and approve.

Tart cherries, whether fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juice, can elevate items across food and beverage menus. Here, tart cherry juice is mixed with sparkling water for a non-alc refresher, but the fruit can also be used in inventive cocktails and mocktails.

2

Versatility & Flavor Appeal

The unique sweet-tart taste of tart cherries can add sought-after flavor notes to a diverse range of menu applications year-round. Automatic associations lean to desserts (the ubiquitous cherry pie, anyone?), but limiting use to that single menu category is short-sighted. “Tart cherries are amazing in savory applications and pair well with vegetables and animal proteins,” says Gellman.

While tart cherries—in frozen, dried and canned formats—give a flavor boost to dressings, sauces, reductions and glazes, their versatility extends much further. Gellman starts with breakfast: “I never get tired of overnight oats,” she admits, noting that this customizable dish is well-suited for incorporating tart cherries. Baked oatmeal is another good option. “The combination of oats, tart cherries, nuts and warming spices is especially great in the fall and winter months. Bump it up a notch by topping with yogurt and a few more tart cherries.”

When it comes to savory applications, Gellman has a hankering to see tart cherries on a pizza. “I think they would be amazing on a white pizza. No red sauce—just tart cherries paired with ricotta, bacon, kale and mozzarella and baked to a golden brown,” she suggests. Another inspiration is a hearty chili dish. “Tart cherries pair beautifully with the smoky flavor of chipotle chiles. You could do a simple vegetarian version with beans and vegetables or bump up the protein with ground meat,” says Gellman, adding, “Tart cherries and lamb also go well together, especially in a show-stopping tagine, where they have the chance to cook down and fuse flavors, so the tart cherry really shines through.”

Taking advantage of the sweet-tart flavor profile of Montmorency tart cherries, Gellman recommends using them in sweet and savory compotes. For a sweet version, combine the tart cherries with honey or maple syrup, plus cinnamon, vanilla and maybe a touch of citrus. A savory tart cherry compote could be made with shallots or onions and might feature vinegar and/or herbs like rosemary and thyme. “Either profile would be great for charcuterie or cheese board, to add into yogurt, to top center-of-the-plate proteins, use as a spread for morning toast or add to a sandwich,” she says.

Gellman also suggests a tart cherry sauce, which can star in both sweet and savory recipes. “For example, a simple grilled lamb chop is given new dimension when it is served with a sauce made with tart cherries and a few other well-chosen ingredients,” she explains. “It also can be used as a glaze when roasting meats or poultry and then served as an accompanying sauce, as well.”

Segueing to sweet stuff, Gellman notes that a tart cherry sauce would serve as a delicious topping on an ice cream sundae, icebox cake or cheesecake. Leaning further into the dessert realm, she sees a long runway for menu innovation with tart cherries, including such ideas as:

• Tart cherry shortcake: After subbing the fruit, it can follow the traditional strawberry variation—made with a sweet biscuit and whipped cream—or twist it up, using an angel food cake base and topping with vanilla yogurt whipped cream.
• Chilled tart cherry “soup”: Tart cherries are simmered with fruit juice—or some wine—and then sweetened with honey or maple syrup, then pureed and topped with yogurt.
• Frozen tart cherry chocolate bars: The combination of chocolate and tart cherries is “a match made in heaven,” says Gellman.

There’s even room for tart cherries on beverage menus. Gellman sees “enormous potential,” from cocktails to mocktails, spritzes and smoothies. For a boozy offering, “Tart cherries would pair well with smoky spirits, such as bourbon and whisky, for a twist on an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan,” says Gellman, also suggesting flavor play with gin, as tart cherries would also be a good fit with botanical spirits.

When it comes to non-alc beverages, Gellman cites the current “Sleepy Girl Mocktail” trending on TikTok, gaining popularity for its perceived ability to support sleep quality with its mix of tart cherry juice, magnesium powder and sparkling water. She also suggests using tart cherries as the base for a shrub, which is having a moment on bar menus today. Tart cherries would work well in a smoothie, too, adding fruitiness, nutrients and antioxidants, without being overly sweet.

This Almond Cherry Salad at Five West in Rochester, Minn., delivers nutrition that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

3

Nutrition Benefits

“Montmorency tart cherries have natural plant compounds that support good health,” says Amy Cohn, RDN, president of the Cherry Industry Administrative Board and Cherry Marketing Institute. “What truly sets them apart is their level of polyphenols—especially anthocyanins—which give them their vibrant red color and deliver powerful nutritional benefits.”

Why is this important? Anthocyanins have been studied for benefits like helping the body bounce back more quickly after physical activity, addressing muscle soreness and supporting joint health, explains Cohn. In addition, tart cherries contain a small amount of natural melatonin, so consuming them may help support sleep quality.

Why is this important to foodservice chefs? As consumers continue to raise their awareness about the positive and negative impacts of food on physical health, many use this information to make dietary choices at home and when eating out. Menu items that check the nutrition box, while delivering robust flavor and eye-catching aesthetics can drive orders. Using tart cherries is a savvy strategy here. In fact, according to the custom Datassential survey of foodservice operators, 62 percent agreed that calling out the nutritious benefits of tart cherries could spark diner interest.

Most domestic tart cherries are grown on small, family farms in Michigan.

4

U.S. Grown

 
Tart cherries are a specialty crop in the United States, primarily grown on small, family farms. In this era of import tariffs and supply chain disruptions, a domestic crop holds ever-greater value. “A strong domestic supply offers a reliable source of consistent quality and freshness,” says Gellman. “Although tart cherries are mostly sold in processed forms, because they’re grown domestically, there is less time and distance to travel from the farm to the processor to the restaurant to the diner.”

Research supports the value customers place on domestic crops: The 2022 Datassential custom research found that 92 percent of consumers preferred U.S. grown tart cherries to imported varieties, making a simple menu descriptor a potentially valuable marketing boost.

5

Pop Culture

According to Pinterest’s 2025 trend forecast, Millennials and Gen Z are embracing a “Cherry Coded aesthetic” across a wide spectrum of lifestyle segments, including apparel, accessories, body art, home décor, menus and beverages. It’s not just the dominant color that’s attracting attention, but cherries as a symbol, embodying a blend of whimsy and nostalgia and maybe a bit of rebellious edge, suggest trendwatchers.

The takeaway here is the opportunity for foodservice chefs and menu developers to leverage a trend that’s playing very well off the menu and find ways to make it work on the menu. Whether yours is a nuanced or in-your-face marketing approach, there’s a great chance to enjoy a bona fide tart cherry bomb!

Check out Tart Cherries for Food Professionals to discover more culinary inspirations and consumer insights.