Morello cherries are a tart variety of cherry that have long been a staple seasonal item at Trader Joe’s markets. However, in recent years some shoppers have noted that they are no longer able to find bags of frozen Morello cherries at their local stores, leading many to wonder if Trader Joe’s has stopped carrying this product.
Morello cherries are smaller and more sour than sweet cherries. They have a deep red color and firm, crunchy texture. Morello cherries are often used in baking, cooking, and cocktails rather than eaten raw. Trader Joe’s has carried bags of frozen Morello cherries for years, making them readily available and affordable during their short summer season. Fans eagerly await their arrival each summer.
So has Trader Joe’s discontinued Morello cherries? Read on for a full investigation into the missing Morello cherries at Trader Joe’s.
Trader Joe’s Morello Cherries Background
Trader Joe’s has offered frozen bags of Morello cherries for many years. The 16 oz bag was priced at $3.99, making it an affordable way for home bakers, cooks, and cocktail makers to enjoy these tart cherries year-round.
Morello cherries have a short summer season, usually only lasting a few weeks in early summer. Trader Joe’s sourced their frozen Morello cherries from the Pacific Northwest, where most of the United States’ cherry crops are grown. The frozen cherries were harvested and flash frozen at peak ripeness, locking in their flavor and texture.
By offering the frozen Morello cherries, Trader Joe’s extended their availability far beyond their short summer season. Fans could stock up on multiple bags during the summer to last all year long.
The Morello cherries were sold in the frozen fruit section at Trader Joe’s. They were perfect for baking into pies, tarts, crumbles, and cobblers. Cooks used them in savory dishes like duck confit, pork dishes, and chutneys. Cocktail enthusiasts relied on them for Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and other cherry-based drinks.
For many years, the bags of frozen Morello cherries were a reliable seasonal treat at Trader Joe’s locations nationwide. But in recent years, fans have found the shelves suddenly empty of this beloved item.
When Did Trader Joe’s Morello Cherries Disappear?
Reports of missing Morello cherries at Trader Joe’s first surfaced around 2018. Customers who had purchased them faithfully each summer for many years started finding them sold out. Initial thoughts were that they were just temporarily out of stock.
However, as weeks turned into months, no new bags of the cherries ever appeared. Now going into 2023, it has been about four or five years since some locations have carried the frozen Morello cherries. Their disappearance seemed to occur gradually over 2018 and 2019, with more and more regions reporting them suddenly gone.
On Reddit and social media, fans started mourning the loss of the affordable Morello cherries at Trader Joe’s. Some accused the grocery chain of quietly discontinuing the item without warning. Others wondered if it was a supply chain issue leading to shortages.
Trader Joe’s remained vague when questioned about the missing bags of frozen Morello cherries. They indicated it was an issue with the crop availability but did not confirm if the cherries had been permanently discontinued or would possibly return in the future.
Why Did Trader Joe’s Discontinue Morello Cherries?
Trader Joe’s has not officially stated a reason for no longer carrying frozen Morello cherries. However, food supply chain experts have some possible explanations:
– **Crop shortages** – Morello cherry crops in the Pacific Northwest have fluctuated over recent years, with some years seeing shortages. If a poor harvest occurred, Trader Joe’s may not have been able to source enough cherries.
– **Rising costs** – Labor, transportation, and ingredient costs have risen significantly in the past 5 years. This may have made the $3.99 bag of cherries unprofitable for Trader Joe’s.
– **Supplier issues** – Trader Joe’s may have lost their supplier of Morello cherries due to business or contract changes. Finding a new affordable supplier may have been difficult.
– **Low sales** – While a vocal minority of fans mourn the loss, overall sales of the frozen cherries may have been low compared to other fruit. Limited shelf space requires trimming underperforming items.
– **Increased demand** – As more people discovered how useful and versatile Morello cherries are in baking and cocktails, demand at other retailers may have increased, limiting supply to low-margin Trader Joe’s.
Without an official explanation from Trader Joe’s, the true reason remains speculation. But these supply chain and retail factors likely influenced the decision to stop stocking the cherries.
Where to Buy Morello Cherries Now
While Trader Joe’s appears to have permanently discontinued their frozen bags of Morello cherries, other grocery stores and online retailers do still carry them:
– **Grocery stores:** Some major chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods stock frozen Morello cherries in their freezer sections seasonally. Availability and prices vary by location.
– **Farmers markets:** When Morellos are in season during the summer months, local farms often sell them fresh at farmers markets. These are only available for a few weeks.
– **Online:** Retailers like Amazon Fresh and Instacart allow you to order bags of frozen Morello cherries for delivery year-round. This is the most convenient option but can be pricier.
– **Specialty retailers:** Orchard farms that grow Morello cherries, like Payette Fruit Company, sometimes sell them online either fresh or frozen. These ship nationwide.
So while the loss of affordable Trader Joe’s frozen Morello cherries is a bummer, fans still have ways to enjoy this tasty seasonal fruit. It just may require shopping around or paying a bit more of a premium price.
Will Trader Joe’s Bring Back Morello Cherries?
There is still hope that one day frozen bags of Morello cherries could return to Trader Joe’s shelves. Some speculate that Trader Joe’s is working on finding a new supplier or contract to be able to profitability offer the cherries again.
No one outside of Trader Joe’s executives knows their internal discussions and plans for product assortment. The company is notoriously tight-lipped about changes until they happen.
Hopeful fans continue to request the return of the cherries to stores whenever they get the chance. Employees often have to break the bad news that there are still no plans to bring them back.
But Trader Joe’s has also been known to reinstate previously discontinued products if interest is strong enough. For example, everything bagel seasoning, hi-protein veggie burgers, and dark chocolate covered powerberries have all made triumphant comebacks due to customer demand.
Perhaps if fans continue to voice their desire, Trader Joe’s will find a way to negotiate the supply chain and offer frozen Morello cherries again. Signs point to this likely being a permanent discontinuation, but never say never. Crazier things have happened at TJ’s.
How to Make Your Own Morello Cherries
If you can’t find commercially frozen Morello cherries, you can actually make your own at home to capture their summer flavor year-round:
Ingredients:
– 3 pounds fresh Morello cherries
– 1 cup sugar
– 1 cup water
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Wash and stem the fresh cherries.
2. Bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
3. Add the stemmed cherries and lemon juice and return to a simmer.
4. Cook for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
5. Allow to cool completely before transferring cherries and liquid to a freezer bag.
6. Squeeze out excess air, seal, and freeze.
7. Use within 12 months for best flavor.
Making your own frozen Morello cherries requires getting fresh in-season cherries. But it allows you full control over ingredients and keeps their flavor available year-round. Adjust sugar to taste.
Best Uses for Morello Cherries
Don’t let the absence of Trader Joe’s Morello cherries prevent you from enjoying this versatile fruit. Here are some of the best ways to use fresh or frozen Morello cherries:
Baking:
– Cherry pie
– Cherry cheesecake
– Clafoutis
– Crisps and crumbles
– Scones
– Fruit tarts
– Cookies
– Muffins
– Cakes
The tart flavor balances sweet ingredients like sugar and cream. Morellos hold their shape well when baked.
Cooking:
– Duck confit
– Pork chops
– Pan sauces
– Chutneys
– Compotes
– Glazes for meat
– Salads
Morellos pair beautifully with savory meats like duck, pork, and chicken. Their tanginess brightens up rich dishes.
Beverages:
– Manhattan cocktails
– Old fashioneds
– Sours
– Martinis
– Margaritas
– Sangria
– Shrubs
– Fruit juices
The sour-sweet profile of Morello cherries works perfectly in craft cocktails. Muddle or freeze them into adult beverages.
Other Uses:
– Yogurt toppings
– Fruit salads
– Oatmeal
– Smoothies
– Snacking
Morello cherries add tart flavor when eaten raw or used in no-bake applications.
Trader Joe’s Fans Want Their Morello Cherries Back
Based on the passionate social media response, it’s clear that many Trader Joe’s fans are heartbroken over the discontinued Morello cherries. The frozen bags were a beloved seasonal treat.
Loyal TJ’s shoppers have been vocal about wanting their affordable Morello cherries reinstated at stores nationwide. The product has joined the ranks of the many discontinued Trader Joe’s items that shoppers petition to bring back.
Since Trader Joe’s has given no indication of their return, customers have to source Morello cherries elsewhere for now. Hopefully the grocery chain hears the demands and considers reinstating the frozen fruit in the future.
Until then, home cooks and bakers can freeze their own Morello cherries when in season. Or find them at other retailers. The versatile cherries remain worth seeking out, even without Trader Joe’s convenient offering.
The Bottom Line
Trader Joe’s appears to have permanently discontinued their bags of frozen Morello cherries, much to the dismay of many shoppers. The exact reason is unknown, but supply chain issues and rising costs likely made the $3.99 cherries unprofitable.
Fans hoping for their return continue to voice disappointment. But for now, Morello cherry lovers will have to find them elsewhere or even freeze their own to enjoy year-round. Though gone from Trader Joe’s, the tart cherry’s popularity remains strong.