If you want to bake a cherry cake or a pie, or want to give the berries to your child but don't want them to accidentally eat a cherry pit, it's best to remove the pits.
Removing them isn't that hard, but doing it carefully without splashing cherry juice all over the kitchen can be tricky.
Fortunately, there are several methods that can help.
Gather the necessary tools
You will need a cherry pitter, which is a specialized tool designed to remove cherry pits.
If you don't have that tool, you can use a straw or a small paring knife as an alternative
Using a special tool
If you have a pitter, place a cherry on the holder or over the opening of the tool, ensuring that the stem end is facing upward.
Squeeze the handles or press down firmly to push the pit out of the cherry.
Using a straw
Alternatively, you can use a straw to remove cherry pits.
Hold a cherry in one hand, with the stem end facing upward. Insert the straw into the stem end of the berry, pushing it through until it reaches the bottom.
Using a paring knife
If you don't have a special tool or a straw, you can also use a small paring knife to remove the pits.
Hold a cherry in one hand and make a small incision around the stem end of the cherry, just deep enough to cut through the flesh.
Carefully slide the knife around the berry, following the natural contour of the pit, and then gently twist the two halves apart, exposing the pit.
