There’s one fruit that tells you summer has finally arrived in the Okanagan — and it isn’t the peach. It’s the cherry. Plump, deep red, almost cold from the morning pick, the kind that snaps between your teeth and runs down your chin if you’re not careful. They’re the first taste of the season worth waiting for, and right now, they’re waiting for you at Don-O-Ray Farms.
Fresh Okanagan cherries are in stock at our farm market at 3443 Benvoulin Road in Kelowna’s Lower Mission. Sweet, juicy, and bursting with that classic Okanagan summer flavour — on our shelves now.
A True Okanagan Summer Fruit
If you’ve lived in the valley long, you already know: Okanagan cherries are something special. The long warm days, cool nights, and that slow ripening on the tree give them a depth of flavour you simply can’t ship in from anywhere else. One bite and you remember why people drive from Vancouver, Calgary, and beyond every summer just to load up.
The fresh cherries on our shelves at Don-O-Ray Farms are the kind you build a summer around — eaten standing over the kitchen sink, baked into a Sunday pie, or simmered down into jam for the months when the trees go quiet.
So Many Ways to Enjoy Them
The beauty of a great cherry is how little it asks of you. Eat them straight from the bag, ice-cold from the fridge on a hot afternoon. Pit them and toss them over yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal, or pancakes. Slice them into a summer salad with goat cheese and arugula. Bake them into pies, galettes, clafoutis, or crisps. Stir them into cocktails, drop them into sangria, or simmer them into jam for the months ahead.
However you reach for them, the fresh cherries from our Kelowna market are a summer staple worth stocking up on.
How to Keep Them at Their Best
Fresh cherries don’t last forever, but with a little care, you can stretch them. Keep them unwashed in the fridge in a breathable container or open bag, and rinse them only just before you eat them. Washing too early traps moisture against the skin and shortens their life.
If you’ve brought home more than you can eat in a week, freeze them. Pit them first, lay them flat on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a bag — they’ll keep for months and you’ll thank yourself in February when you pull out a handful for a smoothie or a winter pie.
More to Love at Our Market
Cherries are just the start of what’s in season right now. While you’re here, dig into our guides to fresh strawberries at Don-O-Ray Farms, fresh asparagus in Kelowna, fresh peas in Kelowna, and fresh potatoes at our Kelowna farm market. For everything on our shelves, visit our farm market.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Okanagan cherries in season? Okanagan cherry season generally runs from mid-June through early August, depending on the variety and the year’s weather. The earliest cherries arrive first, with later varieties stretching the season well into the summer. The best way to know what’s available is to stop by our Kelowna farm market and see what just came in.
How do I pick the best cherries? Look for cherries that are firm, plump, and deeply coloured, with bright green stems still attached. The stem is a quick freshness clue — green and pliable means recently picked, while brown and dry means they’ve been off the tree a while. The fresh cherries on our shelves are picked at peak ripeness, so freshness is built in.
How do I pit cherries quickly? A dedicated cherry pitter is the fastest tool by far and worth every dollar if you’re doing more than a handful. In a pinch, push a sturdy metal straw or a chopstick through the stem end — the pit pops out the other side. For very small batches, a paring knife cut around the pit works fine. Always pit over a bowl in the sink, and wear an apron you don’t mind staining.
Can I freeze fresh cherries? Yes, and they freeze beautifully. Wash and pit them first, lay them flat on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to a year and are perfect for smoothies, baking, sauces, and quick compotes straight from the freezer.
How many cherries do I need for a pie? A standard 9-inch double-crust cherry pie takes about 4 cups of pitted cherries, which works out to roughly 1.5 to 2 pounds before pitting. Buy a little extra — a few never make it past the kitchen counter.
Are cherries good for you? Yes. Cherries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and anti-inflammatory compounds. They’re known to support heart health, reduce muscle soreness after exercise, and even help with sleep thanks to their natural melatonin content. They’re a treat that happens to be nutritious — the best kind.
Come Get Fresh Cherries in Kelowna
Cherry season is short, and the best ones go fast. Stop by Don-O-Ray Farms at 3443 Benvoulin Road in Kelowna’s Lower Mission for fresh Okanagan cherries while they’re at their peak. Your summer kitchen starts here.
