Avoid crunching down on pits with these tips for how to pit cherries. Try one of my favorite (and affordable) tools for success with this method for the best way to pit cherries.
For many people, cherries are the pits. Literally. It can be time consuming to remove the pits from every single cherry, and many people don’t want to risk accidentally swallowing one while snacking.
Do Cherries Have Pits?
As a stone fruit, cherries have a small, hard seed in the center referred to as the pit. They are inedible, but it is not a requirement to remove them. You can usually eat around the pit, or spit it out. It is large enough to distinguish from the fruit in your mouth.
If you happen to miss a pit and swallow it by accident, it will pass through your system without incident. However, it has the potential to make you sick if you crush or bite into it, which is why many people choose to use a cherry pitter.
There are many unusual methods for pitting cherries without a cherry pitter. (Like using chopsticks, a paper clip, or a wine bottle.) This works if you only need a few cherries for a recipe, but the best way to pit cherries is with a cherry pitter.
This small investment makes life much easier. Trust me. Below I’ve given my favorite cherry pitter, plus tips for how to pit cherries easily.
Favorite Cherry Pitter to Buy
One of the perks of working for Williams-Sonoma was trying almost every kitchen tool out there. Through tried and true experience, these two tools are the best for the job.
This is the best cherry pitter for small batches or snacking. It is compact, comfortable, and has a splash shield to protect you from spraying juices. Plus, it locks to take up less room in a drawer.
For freezing, jam, pie filling, or large batches (more than 5-10 pounds at a time), this cherry pitter from Leifheit is the easiest. I usually remove the pits of around 100 pounds of cherries during the month of July every year, and this tool is a lifesaver. It makes the work go quickly and efficiently, and it has a great warranty.
Tips For How To Pit Cherries with a Cherry Pitter
To pit a cherry with a pitter, simply place the bottom of the cherry in the pitter and press down. The sharp metal part will go through the stem end and push the pit through the bottom. Through many years of cherry pitting, here are a few tips I’ve learned on how to pit cherries:
- Splash Zone. Any handheld cherry pitter will still spray some juice regardless of their splashguard. To avoid this, pit the cherry over a deep receptacle (like a plastic cup), and cover most of the opening with a free hand. Your laundry will thank you.
- Check It Twice. Even the best cherry pitter leaves behind the occasional pit. Double check the cherries before cooking, baking, or serving them. Test for pits with your fingers, or simply cut them in half on a cutting board before serving.
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