Am only seeing sweet cherries in the store and i need to make a pie

[Anonymous]

so i wrote in a few weeks ago that my DD desperately wants to make DH a cherry pie for fathers day. Got some great advice on here.

Today after work I went to two Giants, Yes Organic in Cleveland Park and Brookville in Cleveland Park. All are only selling sweet cherries.

anyone see any tart ones in upper NW lately? thanks!

[Anonymous]

Why can't you use normal cherries, and use less sugar? Wouldn't it taste better?

[Anonymous]

i have no idea except it seemed most people felt that tart cherries were best for pies.

[Anonymous]

Sour cherries are almost never sold in stores fresh. They have a two week season and don't travel. Look for frozen or tart cherries in a jar (not can). I've seen them at Rodmans

[Anonymous]

Use sweet cherries and a little rhubarb

(I have no idea if this will work or not)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Why can't you use normal cherries, and use less sugar? Wouldn't it taste better?

Tart cherries aren't like sweet cherries but less sweet, they have an additional tang, the same way lemon adds tang to lemon meringue pie, even after you add a ton of sugar.

Man this thread makes me want pie.

[Anonymous]

I use regular cherries and granny smith apples together.. delicious.

[Anonymous]

I use frozen, unsweetened cherries and follow the recipe for cherry pie in the Joy of Cooking and my pies come out perfectly, with lots of complements. Not too sweet.

[Anonymous]

Ditto tart cherries are rarely available in stores fresh. Some grocery stores in the area will have frozen tart cherries which are just as good for pie (I recall Harris Teeter having them, and maybe Wegman's.)
The season is about to start in the DC area. I always get mine from Butler's Orchard in Maryland. Google them and you'll find the website with an estimate of when the harvest will come in. You call ahead to reserve some. And note that they freeze really well (pit before freezing!) and make great pies through the year.
Signed, the World's Biggest Tart Cherry Fan (in only the most literal sense)

[Anonymous]

OP here. You're all so awesome! This is very helpful.

If only DD had chosen some other pie! But for some reason, she REALLY believes her daddy needs a cherry pie. And who am I to bust that dream?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Use sweet cherries and a little rhubarb

(I have no idea if this will work or not)

You are my Spirit Chef.

[Anonymous]

This week the cherries are not very sweet. I have purchased from three different stores with the same result. Don't know why.

[Anonymous]

I picked about 10 gallons of tart cherries from my neighbor's cherry tree this week so they are 'ready' locally. I'm sorry to say that I am actually eating a piece of warm pie that I made this afternoon as I type this! Good luck OP - agree with the suggestions to try a local farm or farmer's markets.

[Anonymous]

Wooo I'd better get to the farmer's market early this weekend. I love tart cherries. You are lucky to have a neighbor with a tree.

[Anonymous]

The only place I ever see them is farmer's markets. I've been making peach pies instead.