Rainier vs. Flathead: The Cherry Debate Montanans Love To Argue

If you live in Montana, you probably already have a strong opinion about cherries. Around here, Flathead cherries are the stuff of legend and with good reason.

But if you’re from Washington like me (and before you hold that against me, I’m a military kid who’s lived in more states than I can count and I am not here to change anything about Montana), then chances are you grew up pledging loyalty to Rainier cherries. And that, my friend, is where my lifelong cherry devotion started to unravel.

Growing Up With Washington’s Rainier Cherries

I was born into a military family in Washington, and some of my best summer memories are of eating cherries to my heart's content. Rainier cherries were my gold standard. Big, sweet, and that perfect balance of juicy and crisp. I bragged about them for decades, swearing nothing could ever compare. Even when life carried us to the East Coast, I’d shell out way too much money at grocery stores just to get a small taste.

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Montana Introduced Me to Flathead Cherries

Then, my husband's job transferred us to Montana, where people couldn’t stop telling me, “Wait until you try a Flathead cherry.” At first, I brushed it off because how could anything beat my beloved Rainier? But finally, I caved, and I’ll admit it right here, right now: Flathead cherries completely blew me away.

Feeling Like I Cheated on Rainier Cherries

The first bite of a Flathead cherry had me questioning everything I thought I knew about cherries. They’re rich, deep in flavor, and somehow taste even sweeter because they’re grown right here in Montana. I felt like I was cheating on Rainier, my first love. But sometimes, your taste buds tell you the truth, and mine were singing the praises of Flathead.

Stocking Up on Flathead Cherries for Cherry Season Survival

My conversion was so strong that I didn’t just buy a bag of Flathead cherries, I bought two cases case. I pitted every single one, bagged them up, and now I’ve got two dozen zip lock bags tucked away in my freezer to carry me through until next cherry season. It’s safe to say Flathead has officially earned a spot in my heart.

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Which Cherry Wins: Rainier or Flathead?

So now I’ve got to ask you: which cherry do you think reigns supreme? Are you loyal to Washington’s Rainier cherries, or do you stand firmly in the Flathead camp? I still have a soft spot for Rainier, but it’s hard to deny that Flathead has stolen the crown in my house.