Ask Adam: What's the Difference Between Luxardo and Maraschino Cherries? (2024)

FAQs

Ask Adam: What's the Difference Between Luxardo and Maraschino Cherries? ›

Luxardo cherries and Maraschino cherries are both technically Maraschino cherries, but there is quite a difference between the two. The former is considered artisanal and high-end, perfect for a craft co*cktail garnish; while the latter is bright red and ideal for topping an ice cream sundae.

Their unique taste comes from the marasca cherry syrup which is made starting from the same juice used to prepare the infusion for the Cherry Liqueur “Sangue Morlacco”. A cutting edge system of pasteurization guarantees the maximum level of preservation and safety.

Do Luxardo cherries have alcohol? No, Luxardo cherries do not have alcohol in them (or the syrup). You will notice that maraschino cherries do share a name with maraschino liqueur. They share a name since both use marasca cherry juice—just in different ways.

Fortunately, Luxardo Maraschino cherries last up to 3 years after opening. Don't refrigerate them, because it could cause the sugar to crystalize. Just keep them in a cool, dry place, like it says on the jar.

Luxardo cherries and Maraschino cherries are both technically Maraschino cherries, but there is quite a difference between the two. The former is considered artisanal and high-end, perfect for a craft co*cktail garnish; while the latter is bright red and ideal for topping an ice cream sundae.

But Luxardo's cherries are packed with real fruit flavor—that fruit having all the nuance of notoriously seasonal tart cherries—and they have zero artificial coloring. The texture is more toothsome, more satisfying than those other cherries, too. Even if they're dropped into nothing more than a humble Shirley Temple.

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries have a different texture and flavor but are almost as delicious, complex, and worth their high price.

Myths & Facts: MYTH: Maraschino cherries are preserved with formaldehyde. FACT: Absolutely no formaldehyde is used i make maraschino cherries.

Maraschino cherries are used in many alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and co*cktails, including the Tequila Sunrise, the Queen Mary and the Shirley Temple, giving them the nickname co*cktail cherries.

Tart Cherries: Rich in anthocyanins, one study showed that Montmorency tart cherries have a higher anti-inflammatory content than any other food. In addition to showing relief from gout and osteoarthritis symptoms, tart cherry juice is a great way to reduce soreness and inflammation after a hard workout!

What are the tastiest cherries? ›

Bing cherries are the leader of this pack, along with their siblings Lambert, Chelan, Sweetheart, and Tulare. You can recognize them by their dark color and heart shape. These are all incredibly juicy and very sweet — so much so that they've been compared to candy when eaten fresh.

Rainier cherries are the industry's sweetheart. Yellow both inside and out, with just a splash of red blush, these two-toned cherries boast a mild, sweet flavor that hints at tartness.

Save the syrup!

You can sub it in for any thick sticky sweet ingredient in your cooking, from maple syrup to honey, date syrup to pomegranate molasses. I have also used it as a soak on cake layers by mixing it 1:1 with either a fortified wine like Madeira or port, or with a tart cherry juice.

"Make sure to rinse away the syrup from the cherries before using them," he said. "You don't want to add too much sweetness to your co*cktail and spoil it."

Made with no thickening agents or preservatives, a jar still has a shelf life of 3 years. This can contains approximately 50-55 cherries. These world-famous gourmet co*cktail cherries are also available in 6.6-lb (approximately 480 cherries) or 12-lb cans (approximately 890 cherries).

Luxardo Maraschino Originale can be enjoyed in many classic co*cktails or neat as an after dinner drink.

Before you run out and grab yourself a jar (or five) of Luxardo cherries, be advised that they are significantly more expensive than the maraschinos you find in the ice cream aisle of the supermarket. And you're not likely to find them in said supermarket anyway.

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries – Do NOT use anything other than Luxardo cherries if you want your drink to be perfect. Cheaper maraschino cherries are not suitable for a proper old fashioned.

A single cherry has sold for the equivalent of £240 at an auction in Japan, confirming the country's status as the world centre of outrageously overpriced fruit. One box of 15 of the Juno Heart variety of cherry sold for ¥600,000 (£3,600) in the northern town of Hachinohe.

Traditional CherryMan Cherries. OPENED: Once opened and refrigerated, my traditional maraschinos (jumbos, toppers, etc.) are good for three months, but that probably won't happen, because an open jar is an empty jar.

What are the most expensive cherries? ›

Why Luxardo Cherries Are the Most Expensive Cherries on the Planet. … Luxardo Maraschino cherries are the original maraschino cherry.

Low in nutrients

Maraschino cherries lose many vitamins and minerals during the bleaching and brining process. Maraschino cherries pack nearly three times as many calories and grams of sugar than regular cherries — a result of being soaked in the sugar solution. They also contain far less protein than regular cherries.

Maraschino cherries, also known as co*cktail cherries, are preserved, sweetened, and artificially colored to become bright red cherries. That's why they have a different taste and composition (no pits) than natural cherries.

100 grams is about three-and-a-half ounces. Maggots in your maraschino cherries. 5% is the cutoff. That means that you could still get a jar of cherries that is 4% maggots.

Brined and maraschino cherries

An average of five percent or more cherries are said to carry maggots. Think about that next time you pop one into your mouth!

Unopened maraschino cherries can be kept for 2-3 years, and even opened they will last about a year. The shelf life of maraschino cherries depends on a variety of factors, such as the best by date, the preparation method and how the cherries are stored.

Originally, sour marasca cherries from the Dalmatian Coast were soaked in maraschino liqueur, an Italian spirit distilled from the pits, stems, leaves, and flesh of the same cherry.

Luxardo cherries are the original co*cktail cherry, invented back in 1905. They're small and so dark red they almost look black. Preserved in cherry syrup, their flavor is so intense and complex, you'll give up on Maraschinos entirely.

Berries. From strawberries and blackberries to cranberries and blueberries, these gemlike fruits are particularly potent in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

What does cherries do for arthritis? ›

Research shows that the antioxidants in tart cherry juice can reduce pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis (OA). A 2012 study showed that drinking cherry juice twice a day for 21 days reduced the pain felt by people with OA. Blood tests also showed that they experienced significantly less inflammation.

Studies, which often use the concentrated juice of Montmorency cherries, have found tart cherries may relieve joint pain in people with osteoarthritis (OA) and lower the risk of flares in those with gout. In addition, recent studies suggest tart cherries may improve the quality and duration of sleep.

Sweet cherries have better anti-inflammatory properties than their tart counterparts. They contain more considerable amounts of anthocyanin phytonutrients, a compound that gives cherries their signature red hue. This compound has been linked to reduced risks for heart disease, plaque formation, and cancer.

Michigan is the country's top producer of tart cherries and Michigan State University has been part of the industry's growth for decades.

Michigan for the win

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, the state produces 70% of tart cherries in the U.S. each year. Michigan is the top U.S. cherry-producing state, followed by Oregon and Washington, according to National Cherry Festival.

What are Queen Anne cherries? They are a sweet, light colored cherry, who also go by the name of Royal Ann(e). They are cherries that you can eat out of hand or cook with.

The most famous sweet cherry variety is the Bing cherry; this cherry variety got its name from one of Lewelling's Chinese workmen.

Maraschino Cherries

They taste more like candy than cherries, but they're great for garnishing co*cktails, like a brandy old-fashioned, and milkshakes, as well as baked goods and sweet desserts like these Cherry Coconut Bars.

These cherries also make a great co*cktail garnish. Since they are not made with alcohol, they can also be used in desserts and as a topping for those who can't or don't drink alcohol.

Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to use. It should be good for a few months, assuming you don't use it all up before then. I made this refreshing Cherry Lemonade with this syrup.

Should cherries in syrup be refrigerated? ›

Yes, Amarena cherries in syrup need to be refrigerated in order to maintain their quality and prevent any spoilage. The cherries should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated once opened.

Do Luxardo cherries have alcohol? No, Luxardo cherries do not have alcohol in them (or the syrup). You will notice that maraschino cherries do share a name with maraschino liqueur. They share a name since both use marasca cherry juice—just in different ways.

The liquid inside Luxardo cherries is a high-proof syrup made from a premium blend of cane sugar and Luxardo brand Marasca cherries.

As long as jars are tightly sealed in a cool, dry environment, maraschino cherries will remain edible for one to two months at room temperature (via Still Tasty). Those stored in continued refrigeration last six to twelve months. Always check the "use by" date, properly store cherries, and practice food safety.

Fortunately, Luxardo Maraschino cherries last up to 3 years after opening. Don't refrigerate them, because it could cause the sugar to crystalize. Just keep them in a cool, dry place, like it says on the jar.

Luxardo cherries and Maraschino cherries are both technically Maraschino cherries, but there is quite a difference between the two. The former is considered artisanal and high-end, perfect for a craft co*cktail garnish; while the latter is bright red and ideal for topping an ice cream sundae.

Taste: Silky sweet cherry with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and a touch of orange marmalade.

Luxardo cherries have a pop of flavor: they're rich, sweet tart, and fruity, with a nutty amaretto-like finish. What is this? The Luxardo distillery was founded in Croatia in 1821 and was famous for making Maraschino, a cherry liqueur made from Marasca cherries that's used in several classic co*cktails.

Ingredients: Marasca cherries, sugar, marasca cherry juice, glucose, citric acid, grape colour extract, Maraschino natural flavour.

Rainier cherries are the industry's sweetheart. Yellow both inside and out, with just a splash of red blush, these two-toned cherries boast a mild, sweet flavor that hints at tartness.

How many cherries are in a 12 lb can of Luxardo cherries? ›

These world-famous gourmet co*cktail cherries are also available in 6.6-lb (approximately 480 cherries) or 12-lb cans (approximately 890 cherries).

The Perfect Old Fashioned Ingredients

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries – Do NOT use anything other than Luxardo cherries if you want your drink to be perfect.

Myths & Facts: MYTH: Maraschino cherries are preserved with formaldehyde. FACT: Absolutely no formaldehyde is used i make maraschino cherries.

Taste is sweet, some cherry but more fresh, bitter seed and wood. There's a touch of nuttiness and a lovely lingering sweetness, but it's not a "powerful" flavor per se.

The syrup is excellent in quite a few classic co*cktails, on ice cream, added to a charcuterie board, and even used in place of jams or jellies. The cherries themselves are amazing when used in desserts, as when they're mixed into cake batters, enjoyed on top of cheesecakes, or swirled into yogurt.