Cherry Season is Here! Celebrate with These Sweet Cherry Time Collaborations
Get ready to celebrate the juiciest time of the year with Cherry Time! The eagerly awaited cherry season is back, with Cerry Time offering the freshest, juiciest cherries carefully harvested by Cherry Time’s dedicated growers. Starting in November, these nutrient-packed gems will be available online and in selected retailers nationwide.
Approximately 200 kilometres north of Cape Town, the rugged Cederberg Mountain range surrounds a fertile plateau in the Western Cape Province. Further north, in the Koue Bokkeveld region, Gysbertus du Toit (I) established the foundation for what would become Dutoit Agri, one of South Africa’s largest agricultural businesses, over 130 years ago. Today, they continue to celebrate this wonderful, sweet time that begins with a tiny flower blooming.
Available for a limited couple of months, Cherry Time farmers work year-round to ensure cherries reach our tables. The harvesting process is particularly labour-intensive, with cherries being hand-picked to keep each stem intact, then rapidly cooled to maintain firmness and carefully handled to preserve their juicy sweet flavour.
Cherry Time cherries add a burst of colour and flavour to summer feasts, whether in decor, gifting, daiquiris, savoury dishes, baking delights, or enjoyed just as they are. Beyond their charm, cherries offer substantial health benefits, providing a guilt-free counterbalance to festive feasting.
Cherries are packed with antioxidants, melatonin, potassium, and B vitamins. Although severe weather has impacted the 2024 harvest, making Cherry Time cherries especially limited this season, you can still find them at Checkers, PnP, and on the Cherry Time website from 11 November until the end of December.
If you’ve already got your hands on a fresh batch of cherries, then here are a few more ways to celebrate this Season of Splendour. Why not pop in at the below spots to celebrate all things Cherry Time with these sweet collaborations?
Collaborations and events:
Rapt (15 November – 5 December)
Find Cherry Time at Rapt’s Buitenkant Street store, where Cherry Time cherries will be paired with Rapt’s Choco-o-lattes, flash nitrogen ice cream, and build-a-bar experiences. Find out more here.
Slouch Couch
Upgrade your beach or picnic days with the limited-edition Cherry Time Slouch Couch. Limited quantities are available from Sit Slouch.
Jade Rabbit
Discover exclusive Cherry Time signet rings by Jade Rabbit, available for custom order starting 15 November. The first 5 orders come with a complimentary box of cherries! For details, visit the Jade Rabbit website.
Me&B
Cherry-inspired fashion awaits with an exclusive Cherry Time dress by Me&B. Launching in Cape Town soon, these cherry-themed pieces will keep you stylish all season.
Mia Melange
Cherry Time has collaborated with Mia Melange to bring you Cherry Time phone pouches and key rings — practical accessories with a stylish twist.
Instant Pot
Enjoy cherry-inspired recipes with the Cherry Time Instant Pot collaboration. Don’t miss giveaways featuring the latest Instant Pot model, ideal for making cherry delicacies at home!
5 fun facts about cherry harvesting
1. Hand-Picked Perfection: Each Cherry Time cherry is carefully hand-picked to ensure the stem remains intact, preserving the fruit’s freshness and extending its shelf life.
2. Rapid Cooling: After picking, Cherry Time cherries are rapidly cooled to maintain their firmness and juicy flavour, a process crucial for delivering the best quality fruit.
3. Delicate Process: Cherry Time cherries are one of the most labour-intensive fruits to harvest, requiring gentle handling to avoid bruising and damage.
4. Night Harvesting: In some regions, Cherry Time cherries are harvested at night to take advantage of cooler temperatures, which helps maintain their quality and freshness.
5. Ancient Trees: Some cherry orchards, like those at Cherry Time, have trees that are over 130 years old, producing delicious cherries season after season.