You used to hang them on your ears as earrings (don’t deny it), but as grown ups, cherries are a mighty fine sweet treat to snack on during summer and give yourself a boost of Vitamin C. With a window of just mid-November to January, they’re at their best in December, so get out your shopping baskets and get ready to go cherry picking (at the fruit store or supermarket!).

SELECTING & STORING

Look for bright red cherries with shiny skin and stems that feel slightly heavy. Any wrinkled or soft cherries should be left in the pile. Cherries are best served at room temperature, but you should store them in the fridge, so remove them around half an hour before serving. Best eating within five days.

TASTY TREATS TO TRY

* Try them on their own - simply wash with the stalks in (to keep the water out!) and serve in a bowl.
* Remove pips and stems and cook cherries in a little water with caster sugar until soft. Drizzle over ice cream for a yummy dessert.
* Serving finger food at your next do? Here is a great sweet, courtesy of Woolworths. Beat two egg whites to soft peaks, add ¼ cup of caster sugar and beat until meringue is thick. Dip the cherries by their stems into the meringue and bake until golden.