File Under: My Body Thanks You.
There are quite a few things in life which you know are bad for you but you do anyway because ignorance is bliss. Rest assured the article below has opened my eyes to the process of making Maraschino Cherries (not that I eat a lot of them), which will prevent me from ever eating them again. But it ALSO gives me a project because it has links for making your own bleach-free versions at home! Win-Win
Behold The Horrifying Way Maraschino Cherries Are Made. – Via buzzfeed
Sure, those bright red maraschino cherries might look pretty in your cocktail, but that’s where the fun stops.
Source: kathycsus
This is a bowl of real, authentic, bona fide cherries that might be harvested in Oregon or Washington.
Source: mypapercrane.com
At the processing center, the cherries are bleached in a solution of calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide until they turn yellow. Next, they’re marinated in huge vats of high fructose corn syrup and Red #4.
Which isn’t the most natural process.
Next, they show up in your old-fashioned, polluting the pure, innocent sweetness of bourbon.
Source: jenchoikitchen.com
They can also come in multiple fake colors, which means the cherries can be subjected to another bath of artificial color and/or flavor.
If you want to enjoy the taste of maraschinos without all the bleach and chemicals, you can always make your own.
Here’s a recipe from the Cupcake Project.
Source: cupcakeproject.com