Rainier cherry
| Rainier cherry | |
|---|---|
Rainier cherries from the state of Washington, USA | |
| Genus | Prunus |
| Species | Prunus avium |
| Cultivar | 'Rainier' |
| Breeder | Harold Fogle |
| Origin | Washington State University, in 1952 |
Rainier (/reɪˈnɪər/ ray-NEER) is a cultivar of cherry. It was developed in 1952 at Washington State University by Harold Fogle, and named after Mount Rainier. It is a cross between the Bing and Van cultivars.
Rainiers are considered a premium type of cherry. They are sweet with a thin skin and thick creamy-yellow flesh. The cherries are susceptible to temperature, wind, and rain, and the flesh is generally more watery than other sweet cherries.
Rainiers are grown mainly in the Northwestern United States region, in the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Washington state is the top producer.