Have you ever been enjoying an ice cream sundae or a milkshake from Chick-fil-A and wondered what a maraschino cherry really is? Are there maraschino cherry trees out there that we’ve never seen? Most of us are saying, “Are you kidding? The cherry wasn’t atop my dessert long enough to wonder what it is!”
Well, hold on to your hats. This might surprise you.
First, it really is a cherry. Whitegold, Ranier, or Royal Ann varieties are most often used. These grow best in hardiness zones 4-71 which covers a large section of the United States except for the coldest and hottest places.2 These cherries would grow nicely in Ohio since we are zone 5!
In the mid-19th century, the cherries were brined and soaked in liqueur. Today, the process is quite different.
“First, the harvested fruits are soaked in a brine solution. Instead of the traditional sea water, the solution is made with sulfur dioxide and calcium chloride, or a mix of sodium metabisulfite, citric acid and calcium chloride. The cherries are soaked in the concoction for four to six weeks. This effectively erases their original flavor and color. The cherries are then separated from the brine.
“Next, the cherries are soaked in a solution made up of sugar syrup, red dye No. 40 and almond flavoring for another month. Then, the cherries are pitted and their stems removed (not always — people do love to tie those stems in knots with their tongues).
“Finally, the transformed cherries are bottled, along with the syrup. The jars are sealed and pasteurized by heating them for 20 minutes or so to 185 degrees F (85 degrees C). This process allows the cherries to be shelf stable for months, even years, after the jars are opened…
“Originally, the brining process made maraschino cherries shrivel and harden and look not unlike raisins. However, a horticulturist named Ernest Wiegand figured out how to incorporate calcium salts into the brine. This technique helped the cherries maintain a pleasingly plump texture and appearance and is still used (with additional tweaks) today. ”3
Is there any nutritional value to the maraschino cherries? Not much. While the liqueur is no longer used, the bleaching and brining erases the antioxidant value of the cherry in its original form. Sugar and calories are added. Red dye is there. The form of a cherry is still there but it’s been created by essentially removing the things that make a cherry a cherry.
Now, follow me as we dive into Scripture.
The world is doing its best to strip Christianity from its nature and the value Christianity should have in this world. The techniques are still the same as used back in Daniel’s day. Look at what happened at the beginning of the Babylonian captivity.
“And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; (4) Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in 
knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. (5) And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. (6) Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: (7) Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.” (Daniel 1:3-7)
The king wanted to take these Jewish young men and strip them of their heritage and identity. Inject their minds with the education and religion of the Babylonians. Give them a new language to speak. Fill their bellies with succulent foods that are on the Jewish taboo list. Give them names that magnify the gods of Babylon. Soak them in this brine for three years. Then color them in the clothing of the Chaldeans – vestures unfamiliar to them that reflect their new home.
The king was trying to make maraschino cherries out of God’s whitegold cherries, changing their nature while trying to make everyone think they are better off in Babylon.
RIDICULOUS!!!
We are a “chosen generation, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, and a peculiar people.” (1 Peter 2:9) If we allow the world to change us, we will not be in “cherry” condition. Instead, let’s face the day armed with the truth of Romans 12:2. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
1https://rennieorchards.com/where-do-cherry-trees-grow-best/
2https://www.plantingtree.com/pages/hardiness-growing-zones
3https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-science/maraschino-cherries.htm
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