Maraschino Cherry

A type of cherry that has been colored red or green and is soaked in flavored sugar syrup. Maraschino cherries are available as either a bright red cherry that has an almond flavor or a bright green cherry with mint flavoring. They can be purchased whole with or without stems, in halves or in bits. Historically, the variety of cherry most often processed for this fruit was a wild cherry, but other varieties are now commonly used to produce the maraschino. The cherries can be prepared as a garnish on foods, as a sweet ingredient for a variety of baked goods such as cookies or sweet rolls, and as an added addition to fruit salads and cocktail beverages. Maraschino cherries have also become one of the key ingredients in Maraschino liqueurs.