Okanagan Cherry Season: When, What and How to Eat

Okanagan cherry season runs from early July to early August, according to Tourism Kelowna, and it is the first big fruit moment of the summer. A warm spring brings ripe cherries earlier and a cool, wet June can delay them. Here is what to expect, how to pick and what to do with the fruit.

When is Okanagan cherry season?

Tourism Kelowna describes it as early July to early August in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley, with many orchards starting U-pick in early July. Tourism Kelowna's U-pick calendar begins with cherries in June to July, followed by peaches and apricots, so the cherries are the opening act. Because availability can change daily, call ahead and ask what is ready.

What is a Rainier cherry in Kelowna?

Rainier cherries Kelowna growers mention are a yellow cherry with a red blush, and Tourism Kelowna names the Rainier among the varieties on offer in the valley. They are sweet and mild, and they bruise easily, so they are usually eaten fresh. Other growers offer several varieties through the season, so a visit early in the month may taste different from one at the end. Ask the orchard which variety is ripe and how to tell.

What are the cherry U-pick tips for a first visit?

Follow Tourism Kelowna's list. Call ahead, since availability can change daily. Pack a hat, water and sturdy shoes for uneven, sun-baked rows. Wear clothes you do not mind staining, because cherry juice is stubborn. Bring a cooler if you plan to pick a full flat, so the fruit stays firm on the drive home. A separate tip: check the last pick time, since some farms stop picking an hour or more before closing, according to Tourism Kelowna.

How should you plan a Kelowna July cherries day?

Go early, before the sun is high, and pick before you taste, or you will pick less. Leave stems on when you can, because fruit with stems keeps longer. Choose firm, shiny cherries with green stems, and skip any that are soft or split. After the orchard, plan a lunch with someone who is happy to cook with the season, and let the kitchen's specials board decide the rest of the day.

What do you do with cherries once you have them?

Eat the best ones fresh. Pit the rest and freeze them on a tray, then bag them for smoothies, sauces and winter baking. Cherries pair with soft cheese, with grilled pork or duck, with yogurt and with chocolate. A simple compote of cherries, a little sugar and a squeeze of lemon turns into a topping for ice cream, pancakes or porridge. Taste before you add sugar, because ripe fruit needs very little.

Which cherry dishes Okanagan kitchens might serve?

Expect cherry desserts, salads with cherries and soft cheese, sauces for meat and cherry drinks, though what is on a menu depends on the kitchen and the day. If you see cherries on a savoury dish, ask how they are used. If you see a cherry pie, ask whether it is made in house. A short answer such as "from the orchard down the road" is a good sign.

What should you ask an orchard before you drive out?

Ask what is ripe today, which varieties are ready, how long the picking day lasts and whether containers are supplied. Ask about the weather too, because it changes when the fruit is ready. If the orchard has a stand, ask what it bakes or presses from its own fruit, and whether it sells pitted fruit by the bag. These questions take a minute on the phone and can save a wasted trip. A friendly answer also says something about the way the place is run.

Cherry season is short, so go with a plan and a back-up. If the orchard is full, a farm stand or a market on the way will often have fruit as good as the first choice.

How do you keep a record of the cherry dishes you try?

Rate the dish, not only the place: only the place and the stars are needed in the Mosey app, and you can rate each dish too and add a tag such as Farm Producer or Outdoor seating. Make a list called Cherry season with a note on what to order and when, and invite a friend with a link to add their finds. Next year, you will know where to go in the first week of July.

Mosey is free for a place to list, places keep more of what they earn than with high-commission apps, and there are no hidden fees for the place.

What else should you read?

The Okanagan peaches and farm stands guide picks up where cherry season ends, the Kelowna food and wine guide gives a wider view and the Kelowna U-pick guide covers etiquette. The British Columbia food guide lists every town, and the Canadian food guides cover the country. The nut-free dining guide covers allergies in orchard country.

When you taste the first ripe cherry of the year, open the Mosey app and rate the dish you ate it in.