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It’s that time of year again, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – Sweet Cherry Time™ is officially here! Patiently awaited by cherry enthusiasts, these delicious small red stone fruits, packed with nutrients, are back for a limited time.
Dutoit, our dedicated Sweet Cherry Time™ growers, have meticulously harvested these sweet, firm, and juicy cherries over a span of 10 weeks. Starting the first week of November, you can place your orders online or find them in select Pick n Pay, in store or online across the country.
Cherries are the go-to addition for festive feasts in December, adding a burst of colour to your decor or daiquiris, enhancing savoury dishes, and inspiring delightful baking creations. South Africans adore these little red wonders, and it’s no wonder why!
They are a seasonal treasure, available for just a couple of months between November and December, with peak volumes from mid-November to the end of December. The journey from orchard to your table involves year-round care, hand-picking, rapid cooling for freshness, and meticulous handling to keep the stems intact and the flavours vibrant.
Despite facing challenges from a particularly harsh winter in 2023, Dutoit’s dedication and extensive orchards were set to deliver a bumper cherry season. While unexpected rains posed a challenge, they still anticipate a crop volume similar to the previous season.
Cherries are not just delicious but also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with antioxidants, melatonin for sleep, potassium for heart health, and B-vitamins for metabolism boost.
After a challenging year for everyone, Cherry TimeTM is here to bring colour, flavour, and festive fun to the last few months of the year. As South Africa’s largest cherry grower, Dutoit Agri wishes all of their cherished customers a season to remember.
For more information, visit https://cherrytime.co.za/ 
CHERRY-INFUSED PANNA COTTA WITH TOASTED COCONUT AND CHERRY-TOFFEE SHARD
BY: SAADIYAH HENDRICKS – find Saadiyah on Instagram: @sadiesbubbleofyum
The delicate essence of cherries is on fine display in this sophisticated dessert. Understated and subtle, the luscious custard is a perfect base for the explosion of sweet, nutty texture on top.
For the cherry-infused panna cotta, you will need:
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1 cup pitted and halved Cherry Time™ cherries
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3 cups cream 1 cup full-cream milk
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3/4 cups caster sugar
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1 tsp vanilla essence or the seeds from 1 vanilla pod
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1 tbsp gelatine dissolved in 1/3 cup boiling water
For the topping, you will need:
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¼ cup pitted and halved Cherry Time™ cherries
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¼ cup desiccated coconut
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200g caster sugar
To garnish: Fresh Cherry Time™ cherries
Method:
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For the panna cotta, place all the ingredients except the gelatine and cherries in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil on medium heat.
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Remove from heat, whisk in the dissolved gelatine and then 1 cup of cherries, gently pounding the cherries for 2-3 minutes, allowing the fruit to infuse into the milk.
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Strain to remove cherry pieces and pour into individual dishes or moulds and allow to cool completely before placing in the fridge overnight to set.
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To make the topping, preheat the oven to 180°C. Spread the coconut on a baking tray and place in the oven for 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove and allow to cool while preparing the toffee. For the toffee, place the sugar in a saucepan on medium heat and allow to melt, stirring to distribute the heat evenly. Once the sugar has dissolved and turned amber, remove from the heat and stir in the ¼ cup cherries. Quickly pour the cherry toffee onto a silicone mat and spread it out using an offset spatula.
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Sprinkle the coconut over the spread toffee and allow to cool completely.
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Once cool, break the toffee into shards by tapping with a sharp knife. When ready to serve, decorate the panna cotta with toffee shards and fresh cherries.