The cherry is the second most photographed fruit in the world

03 Nov 2026
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3 November 2026

RHISHI PETHE

Source: Stefano Lugli

Yakima, Washington, is an agricultural powerhouse. It grows about three-fourths of the hops in the United States, is a major wine region, and produces many apples and cherries. Washington and California have an odd beef over cherry stems. Washington prides itself on cherries with beautiful, intact stems, while sometimes looking down on California cherries.

Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting one of the largest cherry and apple packing facilities in Yakima, Washington. As you drive in, it feels like you are entering a massive storage facility. Hundreds of controlled-atmosphere rooms store fruit like apples. It is like a massive warehouse with big numbered doors.
Controlled Atmosphere storage facility — The building is about two stories tall. Photo credit: Rhishi Pethe
Cherries are not climacteric1 and must be cooled quickly to below a certain temperature. Growers bring in hundreds of tons of cherries every day from many different farms, and they immediately cool them with cold water if the temperature is above the required 35 degrees F. At this stage, they wash and clean the cherries, removing most leaves and stems.

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