CHERRIES
We deliver consistent, high-quality cherries
Rivermaid Trading Company cherries are grown by the most experienced farmers, who produce the best quality fruit. Our expert field staff works closely with our growers to ensure maximum quality and size.
All Rivermaid cherries are handpicked at peak maturity from orchards throughout the state. Because immediate cooling is essential, all our cherries are covered with shade cloth after harvest and immediately hydro-cooled, either at our Lodi packing facility or using remote facilities available in all growing areas. When they reach our state-of-the-art packing facility in Lodi, cherries are packed using 34-degree water and cold air palletizing.
Our sorting system uses advanced Ellipse software technology and experienced operators to evaluate brix, firmness, and color. This process allows us to deliver reliable, consistent, high-quality cherries in a wide range of pack styles, from boxes to clamshells and bags.
By combining experienced growers, disciplined harvest practices, rapid cooling, and advanced packing technology, Rivermaid has grown into one of California’s largest fresh cherry programs, with industry-leading capacity and quality. These capabilities enable us to reliably support customers around. Learn more here.
CHERRY PACKING HOUSE PROCESS
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Through our partnership with Amazon.com, consumers can order Rivermaid Trading Company cherries when in season.
CHERRY VARIETIES
Bing
Bing
The Bing is the most popular cherry with consumers and the most dominant variety in the industry. It has red/mahogany-colored skin and flesh. The stone is relatively small, while the fruit itself is relatively large, crisp, firm, very sweet and juicy. Rivermaid Trading Company’s Bing crop is harvested in its Lodi, California orchards.
Brooks
Brooks
The Brooks variety is a large form red cherry with a red skin and a reddish-pink flesh. It is sweet, rich and well balanced with a firmness close to that of the Bing. It is very tolerant of hot climates, which is why it is the first Rivermaid Trading Company variety to ripen in California’s Southern Central Valley.
Coral
Coral
The Coral cherry has a similar sweetness to the Bing. It is a lower acid cherry with a dark flesh. Like the Bing, The Coral can also be quite large relative to other varieties. The California Coral season is approximately the same as the California Bing, Chelan and Garnet season.
Ranier
Ranier Season: Late May – Mid-June
This cherry is recognizable by its golden/pink blushed skin color. It’s a finely textured variety with firm, clear flesh and colorless juice. The Rainier offers consumers a firm cherry that has a very sweet, delicate flavor. Like the Bing, Rivermaid Trading Company’s Rainier crop is harvested in its Lodi, California orchards.
Chelan
Chelan
The Chelan is a medium sized cherry with a mahogany red skin and medium to dark flesh much like the Bing. The Chelan is not quite as sweet as a Bing but it is an excellent eating cherry. It is harvested approximately the same time as Rivermaid Trading Company’s California Bing.
Tulare
Tulare
The Tulare cherry is another early season variety that ripens a week to ten days before the Bing. It has a dark red color and sweet flavor yet does not have the firmness of the Bing. Like the Brooks, the Tulare is a hot retail item that builds consumer interest in cherries just before the Bing harvest.
Garnet
Garnet Season: Mid-May – Early June
Harvested during the early part of the Bing Season, Garnets are an excellent eating, medium sized cherry. They have a mahogany red skin like the Bing yet the flesh is not quite as sweet as the Bing.
