Cherries in Oregon are mostly grown in orchards along the shadowed valleys of Mt. Hood. These farms hold a special place in my heart because I grew up here. The stone fruit orchards have a small window to harvest the Royal Ann’s, pie cherries, and tart cherries we are best known for. With an extremely short picking season—just one month—we take full advantage of putting up cherries. They are the first fruit trees to produce at the end of summer, and the yearly Hood River Cherry Festival always celebrates their arrival. Cherries have a fantastic depth of flavor; they are wonderful fresh, but the sweetness really deepens with drying and curing. While the cherry fruit contains a natural melatonin that can promote healthy sleep, the cherry stone also contains healthy molecules that promote strong bone and muscle health. It’s not a good idea to eat the cherry stones (they contain trace amounts of cyanide), but this chapter will show you how to use the stones to extract those healthy molecules within.