We are excited to offer the Balaton cherry, a new tart cherry variety
ripening just after Montmorency, the familiar pie cherry. Balaton is
sweet and firm, so it can be enjoyed fresh.
IQF Balaton Cherries Available now
King Orchards now has IQF Balaton Cherries
Individually quick frozen Balatons are the next best thing to fresh.
The
Balaton Cherry
This variety was selected by growers in Hungary, near the
Soviet border. The Balaton was introduced here in the U.S.
by Dr. Amy Iezzoni of Michigan State University, who found
it in Hungary when she was searching for new genetic
resources for her tart cherry breeding program.
Balaton is larger and firmer than Montmorency. It is
excellent for processing with its red skin, flesh, and
juice. The Balaton cherry ripens after the Montmorency and
blooms a few days later. The tree is vigorous may need to be
trained similar to a sweet cherry. In U. S. trials,
the Balaton cherries have proven to be significantly
sweeter, larger and more firm that the ever popular
Montmorency cherry. The Balaton has an average weight of 5.8
grams and a diameter of 22 mm. Its juice is redder
than others making it great for juices and preserves.
The Balaton cherry "is a superior cherry for
juice - the primary use of tart cherries" says the Cherry
Marketing Institute of Michigan.
Its red pigment is so deep, it won't require red coloring
for pie fillings, and its increased sweetness (over the more
traditional Montmorency variety) requires fewer pounds to
make a gallon of concentrate juice. The Balaton's
vibrant color makes it especially appealing.
Welcome
to the Michigan Balaton cherry website from King Orchards near Traverse
City, Michigan, in the heart of the world's largest tart cherry growing
region.