The Enduring Legacy of Royal Ann Cherries in The Dalles

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In The Dalles, Oregon, the Royal Ann cherry has long been a staple of the local cherry industry, prized not for its looks or sweetness, but for its firm flesh and ability to hold up well during processing. For decades, Royal Ann cherries filled brine tanks across the region, anchoring a major segment of the cherry economy through their reliability and versatility, even as flashier Bing cherries gained national prominence.

Why it matters

The story of the Royal Ann cherry highlights how certain agricultural products can become deeply embedded in a local community's identity and economy, even if they lack the mainstream appeal of more glamorous varieties. It underscores the importance of diversification and building resilience in regional food systems.

The details

Royal Ann cherries were specifically cultivated and planted in orchards across The Dalles for use in brine processing, not as a secondary or fallback option. Their firm texture and ability to hold their shape made them ideal for this purpose, even if they lacked the bright red color and sweetness of the Bing. For decades, the annual harvest and processing of Royal Ann cherries was a major economic driver in the region, with trucks rolling and processing crews working steady shifts to handle the volume.

• For decades, brine cherries were a major part of harvest season in The Dalles.
• Long before clamshells and export air freight, Royal Ann cherries filled brine tanks across The Dalles.