How To Pit Cherries Quickly
Let’s be honest: cherry pitting is the kitchen task that sounds fun until you’re wearing more juice than a toddler at a sloppy joe contest. I’ve been there—standing over a col...
Let’s be honest: cherry pitting is the kitchen task that sounds fun until you’re wearing more juice than a toddler at a sloppy joe contest. I’ve been there—standing over a colander, wondering if my shirt will ever be the same. But fear not, my stained-fingered friend: we’re about to make this the fastest pit removal party you’ve ever had.
First up: the glass bottle and chopstick trick. Grab a clean beer bottle (or soda, no judgment) and rest a cherry on the neck, stem-side up. Take a sturdy chopstick—or a skewer—and gently push the pit down into the bottle. The pit plops inside, and you’re left with a perfect, intact cherry. It feels like magic, and you don’t even need a fancy gadget. Plus, you can pretend you’re a barista making fancy cocktails, which is always a plus.
If you’re pitting a mountain of cherries for a pie, upgrade to a paperclip method. Unfold a paperclip into an “S” shape, hook the pit from the stem end, and pop it out. It takes practice, but once you find the rhythm, you’ll be zipping through cherries while humming show tunes. Just keep a napkin handy—things can get sassy.
Must Read
For the truly impatient, I bow to the food processor slap-chop approach: halve cherries with a knife, then use a cherry pitter bench tool if you’re fancy, or simply bang a straw through each one (yes, a straw—like a tiny, edible fire pole). The straw pushes the pit out the bottom in a single, satisfying thwip. It’s oddly therapeutic.
5 Ways to Pit Cherries - Chelan Fresh
Pro tips from someone who’s learned the hard way: wear an apron that says “Pit Master” (I’m not joking, it boosts morale), and work over a bowl to catch stray juice. If you pit in the sink, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re not scrubbing sweet red splatter off your cabinets.
So go ahead—pit like a pro, laugh at the mess, and remember: every cherry you rescue is one step closer to the best pie, jam, or cocktail of your summer. You’ve got this, and your taste buds are already cheering. Now, go make something delicious—you beautiful, un-splattered champion.
