Just wondering. Its not like we can eat them. They do provide a nice handle, but you've got to bite them off to eat the fruit.

You've answered your own question. It's so you can pick them up by their "handle" and eat them. They are the ones used in mixed drinks like Manhattans, and it's much better than having to muck around with your fingers in your drink to liberate the cherry that has been swimming around avoiding you. Take the blessing and be happy!

They leave them on so you can tell which girls can tie them in a knot with their tongue.

Ken

It costs $.20 per cherry to remove the stem when picked. LOL...just kidding. I have no clue. I was going to make the comment about being able to tie a knot with your tongue, but I was beat to it.

quote:

Originally posted by KenS:
They leave them on so you can tell which girls can tie them in a knot with their tongue.

Ken

Well, there's that, too...

They don't all have stems. Maraschino cherries come in glass jars, have no stems and are very sweet.

Same reason waiters set your drink on the table, not in your hand.

They sell most fruit by the pound so selling them with the stem gets them more $.

When in doubt, follow the money.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
They sell most fruit by the pound so selling them with the stem gets them more $.

When in doubt, follow the money.

BINGO!

If you've ever picked cherries, it's just the way they come off the tree. Some pull free by the fruit only; a lot come with the stem. Nobody is going to go through the bushel to pick off the stems, so they get sold as they're received.

We used to get paid a few pennies a bushel to pick cherries as kids. I spent a lot of time on ladders in orchards.

I always figured that they didn't spoil as quickly if the stems were left on.

flashguy

same reason they sell strawberries with the stem.

quote:

I always figured that they didn't spoil as quickly if the stems were left on.

This is the correct answer. Removing the stem from the fruit breaks the skin causing faster deterioration. Those with stems will hold longer than those without.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
They sell most fruit by the pound so selling them with the stem gets them more $.

When in doubt, follow the money.

Agreed. Removing the stems would also be an additional step and require additional machinery during processing, which would take more time, hence money.

The knot thing is interesting, but a little scary. Think about it.

you're an Anti stemite

Leaving the stems on is a visual sign to the buyer that they are "fresh" and "natural."

quote:

Originally posted by KenS:
They leave them on so you can tell which girls can tie them in a knot with their tongue.

Ken

This for sure my friends

Am I the only one here who sometimes just swallows the cherry pits? I used to do it all the time but now just once in a while.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by 12GA:

quote:

Originally posted by KenS:
They leave them on so you can tell which girls can tie them in a knot with their tongue.

Ken

This for sure my friends

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I once had a girl demonstrate that to me -
made quite an impression.....