Trader Joe’s continues to bring unique and exciting ingredients to its shelves, and the Pitted Amarena Cherries are a standout for anyone who enjoys the indulgence of a premium, sweet-tart fruit. These cherries are packed in syrup, offering the perfect balance of rich, dark fruit flavor with just enough sweetness to elevate your favorite desserts, cocktails, and even savory dishes.
At $5.99 for a 16-ounce jar, Trader Joe’s Pitted Amarena Cherries offer an affordable way to enjoy a touch of luxury without heading to a specialty shop. Whether you’re topping your ice cream or mixing them into a cocktail, these cherries deliver flavor in every bite.
Product Description
Trader Joe’s Pitted Amarena Cherries are a jarred product featuring small, dark cherries that have been pitted and packed in a rich syrup. These cherries are known for their intense, concentrated flavor with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The cherries are often used in Italian desserts and cocktails, making them a versatile pantry staple for anyone who loves to experiment in the kitchen.
Unlike maraschino cherries, which can be overly sweet, Amarena cherries offer a more refined, complex flavor. Their rich, dark fruit flavor pairs beautifully with sweet and savory dishes alike.
Honest Review of Trader Joe’s Pitted Amarena Cherries
Flavor: The flavor of Trader Joe’s Amarena Cherries is wonderfully balanced. The cherries themselves have a rich, dark fruit taste that’s sweet with just the right amount of tartness. The syrup adds a depth of flavor without being overly sugary, which makes these cherries ideal for a variety of uses. Whether you’re adding them to a dessert or stirring them into a cocktail, they provide a burst of flavor that feels indulgent without being overpowering.
Texture: The cherries are soft and slightly chewy, with a texture that holds up well in both cold and warm applications. They’re tender but not mushy, and the syrup they’re packed in is thick and velvety, making it easy to incorporate into sauces or drizzles. The fact that they are pitted makes them especially convenient for baking or cooking.
Overall: These cherries work wonderfully as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, or even pancakes. They’re also excellent when used as a garnish for cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, where their tartness adds a beautiful contrast to the sweetness of the drink. Whether you’re using them in baking, desserts, or cocktails, they hold up well and retain their flavor.
Ingredients
Key ingredients include:
- Amarena Cherries: Small, dark cherries with a rich, intense flavor.
- Sugar: Used in the syrup that preserves and enhances the sweetness of the cherries.
- Water and Natural Flavorings: Helps balance the syrup and ensures the cherries maintain their natural flavor.
How to Use Trader Joe’s Pitted Amarena Cherries
- Top Desserts: Use these cherries as a topping for ice cream, cheesecake, or panna cotta for an elegant touch. Drizzle the syrup over the dessert for an added layer of flavor.
- Cocktail Garnish: Add one or two cherries to a cocktail like an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or even a Champagne cocktail for a burst of flavor and a pop of color.
- Mix into Yogurt or Oatmeal: Stir the cherries and syrup into your morning yogurt or oatmeal for a delicious, fruit-filled start to your day.
Recipe Suggestions
- Cherry Compote: Warm the cherries and syrup on the stovetop and serve as a compote over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Amarena Cherry Ice Cream Sundae: Top vanilla ice cream with a few Amarena cherries and a drizzle of syrup, then add whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for a decadent sundae.
- Cherry-Infused Cocktails: Use the syrup from the jar to add a subtle cherry flavor to your cocktails, and garnish with the cherries for a stunning presentation.
FAQs about Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
No, based on the list of ingredients this contains wheat.
Once opened, the cherries should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within 2–3 weeks for the best quality.
Absolutely! The syrup is rich and flavorful, making it a great addition to cocktails or even as a drizzle over desserts.
No, Amarena cherries are different from maraschino cherries. They are less sweet and have a more intense, concentrated flavor, offering a more refined taste.
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s Pitted Amarena Cherries offer a sophisticated, indulgent addition to your kitchen. With their rich, sweet-tart flavor and versatile use in everything from desserts to cocktails, these cherries are a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their cooking or baking. The syrup they’re packed in adds an extra layer of flavor, making them a great option for drizzling over ice cream or incorporating into cocktails. At $5.99, they’re an affordable way to bring a touch of luxury to your everyday recipes. Just be sure to use them up within a few weeks of opening, as they’re best enjoyed fresh
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Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries
Product Name: Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries
Product Description: Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries have now joined store shelves on a more regular basis.
Price: $5.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries are now found on shelves outside of the winter season.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Rich Flavor: These cherries have a deep, concentrated flavor that’s sweet with a pleasant tartness.
- Versatile: Perfect for desserts, cocktails, and even savory dishes.
- Convenient: Pitted and packed in syrup, making them easy to use right out of the jar.
- Affordable: At $5.99, they offer a luxury ingredient at an accessible price.
Cons
- Short Shelf Life After Opening: Must be consumed within 2–3 weeks of opening, so plan accordingly.
- Not as Widely Versatile as Other Ingredients: While delicious, the intense flavor may not be suitable for every dish.
Timothy+Cain says
I just bought a jar of these this morning. I am planning on adding them to plain yogurt with a little of the syrup too, to make a super-cherry yogurt for breakfast.
Timothy+Cain says
I mixed 5 or 6 cherries and some syrup into a cup of plain yogurt. Wow, it was crazy sweet and very cherry flavored. Probably too much so. Next time I will try 3 or 4, and less syrup. These are potent!
becomebetty says
Yes they are. That syrup is super sweet, but I think in moderation it has so much potential on so many levels. I'm trying to figure out what else to do with it other than having a Manhattan. Actually, I was thinking chocolate covered cherries with these. What do you think?
Timothy+Cain says
These cherries are so sweet that I think covering them in chocolate might be overkill. I just finished my jar that I so carefully rationed, using them only to make amazingly cherry yogurt. I even saved and used the syrup for the same purpose. Now I am sad that I cannot get more.
becomebetty says
Hopefully next year they will bring them back. My husband has been using the jar to make Manhattans. Sad thing it with the seasonal items, sometimes if you don't stock up right away you might not ever see it again. Williams Sonoma does sell Luxardo cherries which I haven't tried, but heard were excellent. But they are pricey.
Grubbing+With+Jess says
I LOVE cherries! I should go find these!
becomebetty says
I hope you can find them. A lot of the seasonal stuff seems to be gone 🙁
Timothy Cain says
They are back! My Trader Joe’s in Tustin, CA just put these jars on their “What’s New” shelf!
becomebetty says
I saw that and I totally picked up a few more jars. These are soo good. Thanks for letting me know!
Margaret says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these cherries - I make a great Manhattan cocktail and these cherries and perfect finish! I ran out and TJs is out for the season. Fingers crossed that they get them in again!
becomebetty says
Hey Margaret! I've been looking for them and was wondering. I love these cherries too. I bought a jar of the morello cherries. And yes, for a Manhattan (or any cocktail) they are pretty hard to beat. Thank you so much for letting me know about this update. I'm keeping my fingers crossed with you!
Beverly Hecht says
Making Black Forest cake with these cherries….
becomebetty says
Awesome. Can't wait to hear how they come out. Thanks for sharing Beverly!
Rebecca J Hoffman says
Can anybody compare the Trader Joe's product with the Fabbri brand? I see that the Trader Joe's label says their's is a product of Italy and wonder how similar they are.
I just made this cake - https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/mangonada/?utm_source=Chili+Pepper+Madness&utm_campaign=be65d465fe-Daily_RSS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f19cccd9b8-be65d465fe-139476273 - with the Fabbri brand. I served the cake with whipped cream to which I added a tablespoon of the syrup from the cherries. It was amazing.
By the way, my local Trader Joe's has their Amarena Cherries in stock right now.
Donna says
I bought a jar around Thanksgiving time not realizing they were a seasonal item. I make a delicious lemon or lime simple syrup and use these cherries to make cherry limeade by adding both to a bottle of carbonated mineral water. I love them so much that I went back and bought 12 more jars when I found out they won’t be back for another year.
becomebetty says
I love these too Donna! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!