By Valentine Warner
Make the most of summer's ripe, sweet berries with our favourite cherry recipes. You can't beat a classic cherry pie or an indulgent Black Forest gâteau.
Flaounes
Mulled wine baked fruit
Almond rice pudding and cherry compôte
Black Forest cupcakes
Dark and white chocolate cherry brownies
Old-fashioned whisky cocktail
Christmas cocktail
Cherry chapel hat pegs
Black cherry and hazelnut jam
There are many different types of cherry, including maraschino, griotte and Morello cherries, from which kirsch and Black Forest gâteaux are made. Look out for telltale punnets of deep red cherries in markets from mid-July to the end of August. The best cherries are plump, firm, glossy and free of blemishes; the stems should be fresh and green. Cherries benefit most from being stored at cooler temperatures - warmth can compromise their flavour and texture.
A perfect bedfellow for rich ingredients, it's no surprise that perhaps the most iconic cherry dessert is the decadent Black Forest gâteau, with its layers of deep, dark chocolate, fluffy cream and kirsch liqueur. For something lighter, eat sweet cherries straight off the stalks, or remove the stones before stirring into Greek-style yoghurt with a drizzle of honey. Dried sour cherries impart that all-important sweet-sour tang to many Iranian and Middle Eastern dishes; alternatively they're just the thing to add a little extra pizzazz to your morning muesli. Sour cherries are an excellent foil for fatty meats, and so are perfect for giving a classic duck dish a summer twist - try adding them to sauces or chopping the flesh into spicy salsas.
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