Summer has a way of reminding us how good the simple things can be – a picnic in the shade, a long lunch with friends, a bowl of chilled cherries passed around the table. This year, Cherry Time™ is bringing that first taste of summer a little sooner than usual, although nature has made it a shorter, smaller season than most.
A challenging spring has left its mark on cherry orchards across the Western Cape. Hot, dry and windy weather during flowering disrupted pollination and fruit set, and the mid- and late-season varieties felt the effects most. The early varieties have fared better, producing a reasonable crop to enjoy now, but stock will be limited by December.
That makes this a season to savour, and Cherry Time™ is celebrating the simple pleasure of enjoying fresh cherries while they are here. Large, bright red and juicy, they are made for beach picnics, leisurely lunches and something sweet to share after a braai.
Behind each of those moments is a year of care in the orchard. Growers tend the trees through every season, and each Cherry Time™ cherry is picked by hand. Because cherries do not ripen further once picked, they are left to develop their full flavour on the tree, then harvested and cooled promptly to lock in their freshness.
At home, they need very little fuss. Serve them chilled with sundowners, add them to a salad or pair them with cheese for an easy summer spread. When there is time to bake, their sweetness works beautifully with buttery pastry and almonds.
More ways to enjoy Cherry Time™ this summer
The season also brings a few outings to look forward to and new collaborations with local makers:
- Cherry Time™ Feast at Oranjezicht City Farm Market: Over the last weekend of November, local vendors will create Cherry Time™-inspired dishes and treats, turning the market into a celebration of the harvest. Vendors will compete for prizes across several categories, giving visitors plenty of delicious ways to discover the fruit’s versatility.
- Val de Vie Polo: Visitors heading to the polo this year can look out for Cherry Time™ and enjoy a taste of fresh cherries as part of their day out.
- Ceres Kersies Festival on 5 December 2026: In a first for the brand, visitors can buy tickets to pick cherries at Nooitgedacht Farm as part of the festival. It is a chance to spend time in the orchard and gather cherries straight from the trees.
- Local design collaborations: Each year, Cherry Time™ partners with South African designers and entrepreneurs on creations that bring the season into homes and wardrobes. Look out for this summer’s homeware and accessory collaborations, with details revealed on the brand’s social channels.
Here are some ideas for delicious cherry recipes.
Cherry Frangipane Tart
Recipe by Megan Kate Swan | @megankateswan
For a summer lunch that calls for something sweet, Megan Kate Swan’s Cherry Frangipane Tart pairs buttery shortcrust pastry with a soft almond filling and juicy baked cherries. Her recipe below offers another way to enjoy the season at home.
Sweet Shortcrust Pastry
125g salted butter, cold & cubed (or unsalted + ½ tsp salt)
50g icing sugar
1 large egg
50g ground almonds
200g cake flour
Frangipane
110g butter, softened
110g caster sugar
110g ground almonds
35g cake flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp brandy (optional)
2 eggs, beaten
500g Cherry Time™ cherries, pitted
Method
Pastry
Add flour, icing sugar, ground almonds and butter to a food processor (blade attachment). Pulse until crumbly.
Add the egg and pulse just until the dough comes together.
Turn out, bring into a ball, flatten into a disc, wrap and chill for 30 mins.
Roll out, line a greased 25cm tart tin (or three 12.5cm tart tins), trim, prick base and chill for 15 mins.
Blind bake at 200°C (180°C fan) for 15 mins, remove weights, bake 5 mins more. Cool.
No food processor? Rub butter into dry ingredients by hand (cold hands!), add egg, bring together quickly. Don’t overwork.
Frangipane
- Beat all ingredients together until smooth (stand mixer, hand mixer or by hand).
- Spread frangipane into a tart case. Arrange drained cherries on top, pressing in lightly.
- Optional: sprinkle with golden sugar.
- Bake at 200°C (180°C fan) for 25 mins, then reduce to 180°C (160°C fan) and bake 15–20 mins until golden and set.
- Cool before removing from the tin, slice and wait for the compliments to roll in.
Serve with a spoonful of cream and enjoy with good company. A slice of summer, and a little reminder that some of the best pleasures are simple.
Cherry Tiramisu
Recipe by Astrid Field The Sweet Rebellion
A make-ahead summer tiramisu with Cherry Time™ cherries, compote and mascarpone cream.
Ingredients (serves 6-8)
Base
1 x 200 g pack boudoir biscuits (ladyfingers)
Cherry Compote
3 cups Cherry Time™ cherries, pitted
¼ cup water
2 Tbsp kirsch or cherry liqueur
⅓ cup caster sugar
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Filling
500 g mascarpone cheese
¼ cup kirsch (optional)
375 ml fresh cream
½ cup caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract (optional)
Topping
250 ml fresh cream
1 Tbsp icing sugar, sifted
Garnish
1 Tbsp cocoa powder, for dusting
1 cup Cherry Time™ cherries, for garnish
Method
Cherry Compote
Combine the pitted Cherry Time™ cherries, water, kirsch or cherry liqueur, caster sugar and
lemon juice in a saucepan.
Heat gently until simmering, then cook for 3-4 minutes, until the liquid has reduced slightly.
Strain the Cherry Time™ cherries and reserve the liquid. Set them aside to cool.
Let the reserved liquid cool completely. If desired, stir an extra 2 Tbsp kirsch into the cooled
liquid.
Filling
Place the mascarpone in a large bowl and gently mix in the kirsch, if using.
In a separate bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks. Add the caster sugar, vanilla and almond
extract, if using, then whip to medium-stiff peaks.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone in 3 or 4 additions, taking care not to overmix or the mixture may split.
Assembly
Dip the ladyfingers lightly into the reserved cherry liquid and arrange them in the base of a
dish (around 23 x 23 cm or similar).
Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over the ladyfingers.
Arrange the drained, cooled Cherry Time™ cherries in an even layer on top.
Spread the remaining mascarpone cream over the Cherry Time™ cherries.
Refrigerate for 6-8 hours, until set.
Topping
Shortly before serving, whip the cream to soft peaks. Add the icing sugar and whip to stiff
peaks.
Spoon the cream into a piping bag fitted with a plain round nozzle and pipe kisses over the
surface of the tiramisu.
Dust lightly with cocoa powder and arrange the Cherry Time™ cherries in a corner for
garnish.
Serve chilled, share generously and enjoy a sweet taste of summer.
Cherry Time™ cherries can be ordered online at cherrytime.co.za, with delivery to selected areas in the Western Cape and collection from a designated pick-up point in Johannesburg. They are also be available at Checkers and Pick n Pay stores nationwide.
For event details, cherry-picking ticket updates and new collaborations, follow Cherry Time™ on Instagram and TikTok. For orders and availability, visit cherrytime.co.za
