Here at The Granola Factory, we use dried cherries in our Cherry Almond Quinoa granola. They add a great flavor and texture that pairs perfectly with the almonds. Our dried cherries come from Payson Fruit Growers located in Payson, Utah. These cherries are grown in the high desert, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. The warm days and cold nights in this area make for tree ripen cherries that have both a great sweet and tangy flavor. Fun fact: The Cherry is the official state fruit of Utah!

As soon as the cherries are picked they immediately start a cooling process in order to preserve their fresh flavor. The cherries are then transported a few minutes away to a processing plant where they are inspected, pitted, sorted, dried, and packaged.

Some reasons to include cherries into your diet are to reduce muscle soreness after exercise, ease arthritis pain, and enhance heart health. Also, cherries contain melatonin, which helps to regulate our sleep cycle and can help you sleep better throughout the night. Cherries are not only packed with antioxidants, but they are also a natural source of fiber, potassium, protein, and iron. In addition, cherries boost your immune system, thanks to vitamins C, A, and E.