Tag: Maraschino cherries

According to Healthline, processed maraschino cherries lose most of their natural nutrients and antioxidants during their transformation from raw fruit. This stark nutritional difference is crucial for anyone questioning, "Is bakery cherry good for health?".

Over 90% of commercially produced maraschino cherries in the United States contain artificial food coloring. The journey to this bright red state involves a significant industrial process, completely stripping the cherry of its natural color and replacing it with a vibrant, man-made hue. So, do maraschino cherries have food coloring in them? The answer is a resounding yes, in most cases.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally announced a ban on the color additive Red Dye No. 3 in food products in early 2025, over three decades after prohibiting its use in cosmetics. While food manufacturers have until 2027 to reformulate, countless products containing this controversial ingredient have been on store shelves for years. Many consumers are now scrutinizing product labels to identify and avoid foods with Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic colorant linked to health concerns in animal studies.

According to food science research, the iconic, neon-red color of most modern maraschino cherries is the result of a chemical bleaching process followed by the addition of artificial colorants, such as Red Dye 40. However, a growing number of brands and homemade recipes now offer natural alternatives for those seeking to avoid artificial additives.

Originally, maraschino cherries were made by soaking marasca cherries in maraschino liqueur, a spirit distilled from the fruit. The answer to "Do maraschino cherries have alcohol in them?" depends on which type of cherry you are considering—the classic European confection or the modern, supermarket-style version.

An enduring urban legend claims that maraschino cherries linger undigested in the stomach for years, a tale often repeated alongside similar fables about bubblegum. However, this is a myth, as these processed fruits are digested just like any other food, albeit with a different speed depending on their composition.

According to food historian lore, a mid-20th-century urban legend claimed that maraschino cherries were preserved with formaldehyde. In reality, this is a pervasive myth, and formaldehyde is not used in the modern production of maraschino cherries.

Despite the persistent urban myth, maraschino cherries do not stay in your stomach for seven years. So, how long do maraschino cherries last in the stomach? The reality is far more sensible, with these processed fruits moving through your digestive system in a timeframe similar to many other foods.

According to a 2023 study published in *Nature Communications*, high levels of exposure to synthetic food dye, including Red 40, were linked to inflammation in animal models. This has led many health-conscious consumers to ask: Can you get maraschino cherries without red dye 40? The answer is a definitive yes, with several natural options now available on the market.

Maraschino cherries, the most common type of cocktail cherry, are created by bleaching light-colored sweet cherries and soaking them in a heavily sweetened syrup. So, are cocktail cherries healthy to eat, or are they just a heavily processed and sugary garnish designed for appearance? The answer lies in understanding their manufacturing process and ingredients.