cyanide from cherry pits? - Ask Extension
Our cherry tree (not sure what variety) produced lots of cherries this year, so we decided to make cherry butter. We picked, cleaned and de-stemmed th...
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cyanide from cherry pits? #837961
Asked June 27, 2023, 9:39 PM EDT
Our cherry tree (not sure what variety) produced lots of cherries this year, so we decided to make cherry butter. We picked, cleaned and de-stemmed them, then used a device called a "cherry stoner" which used a plunger to push out the cherry pits. Unfortunately it was not as effective as we thought, and it left some pits. We cooked the cherries down a bit, then put them through a blender, then set them to slow cook for a long time. Stirring the mix, we realized there were both whole pits and broken pits (from the blender). After about a day of slow cooking, we put the mix through a strainer by hand and picked out all the pits and broken pits. Then blended it again for a smoother consistency, then cooked it down to thicker consistency and canned it. We know cherry pits contain some cyanide. Have we made a batch of poison cherry butter? We'd hate to toss it all and waste all that labor, but we don't want anyone eating poison, even if it's only a little bit. What should we do?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
You have a good question and I am not sure I can give you a definite answer. You are right, cherry pits do contain some cyanide. I wouldn't be too worried if they were a few whole cherry pits but once crushed it is easier to release hydrogen cyanide. Different cherry varieties have different amounts of amygdalin. Dark sweet cherries have more than red sweet cherries and it is not too much in either case, however Morelle variety which is a sour cherry contains much more.
You did not say how much butter you made or the kind of cherry. It sounds like a pretty large quantity so if only a few pits were crushed it is probably fairly low risk if you don't eat too much at one time.
You might want to call the Poison Control Center and ask someone what they think.
Have you tried the butter, and if so did you show any signs of poisoning such as headache, seizures and difficulty breathing?
If you decide to consume it I wouldn't eat too much at one time.
You might also not feed it to small children since they are more susceptible to poisoning.
I agree with you that those cherry pitters are not the greatest. you have to be careful to get all the pits out.
Hope that helps. Thanks for using Ask Extension.
Nellie Oehler
You did not say how much butter you made or the kind of cherry. It sounds like a pretty large quantity so if only a few pits were crushed it is probably fairly low risk if you don't eat too much at one time.
You might want to call the Poison Control Center and ask someone what they think.
Have you tried the butter, and if so did you show any signs of poisoning such as headache, seizures and difficulty breathing?
If you decide to consume it I wouldn't eat too much at one time.
You might also not feed it to small children since they are more susceptible to poisoning.
I agree with you that those cherry pitters are not the greatest. you have to be careful to get all the pits out.
Hope that helps. Thanks for using Ask Extension.
Nellie Oehler
C
