Maraska cherry

Prunus cerasus in Otto Wilhelm Thomé , Flora of Germany, Austria and Switzerland , 1885

The Marasca cherry ( Prunus cerasus var. Marasca ) is a sour cherry variety that originates from the Croatian coast in the Dalmatian region around Zadar . Today it is also grown in Slovenia and Northern Italy .

Compared to many other cherry varieties, the fruit of the Marasca cherry is smaller and tart. The fruit has a red skin and a very soft, dark red and juicy flesh. In Croatia the fruits ripen around July 1st. They are particularly suitable for making cherry spirits.

Distillate obtained exclusively from maraska cherries is used to make the clear maraschino liqueur.

Maraska cherries form the basis for the production of decorative maraschino cherries ( cocktail cherries ).