KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) — Tired of trying to knot cherry stems with your tongue? Researchers in leading cherry-growing states are working on getting stemless cherries to market.
Researchers from Washington State, Oregon State and Michigan State universities are in the second year of a four-year project to develop a mechanical harvester that could not only save growers money on harvest costs, but also remove stems from the cherries. The stems sometimes dent the fruit as it’s shipped.
The research involves researching what types of sweet cherries are most easily dislodged from their stems and studying consumer acceptance of stemless cherries.
Researchers at Michigan State also are researching new packaging that could help extend the shelf life of sweet cherries.
