It’s almost cherry season again — one of my favourite times of the year. There’s something about those deep red jewels that signals summer’s arrival, and every year we make a little family outing of it. A drive out to a local cherry farm, the kids darting between the trees, hands and lips stained crimson from sneaking too many “taste tests.” It’s one of those simple, messy joys that I look forward to every spring.
Cherry season in South Africa is relatively short — it usually runs from late October to early December, peaking in November.
Farms that offer Cherry Picking in South Africa
1. Klondyke Cherry Farm – Ceres, Western Cape
Located 30 km from Ceres in the Koue Bokkeveld, Klondyke Cherry Farm offers a picturesque cherry-picking experience from late November to December. Visitors can enjoy picking both red and yellow cherries, with an entrance fee of R40 per person and R95 per kilogram of cherries. The farm also provides self-catering accommodation and camping options for those looking to extend their visit. Cherry Farm
2. Ionia Cherry Farm – Between Fouriesburg and Ficksburg, Free State
Situated in the Eastern Free State, Ionia Cherry Farm invites visitors to celebrate the cherry harvest amidst spectacular mountain views. The farm offers a farm-to-table experience with fresh cherries, artisanal treats, and unique gifts at their farm stall. It’s a great spot for families to create cherry-picking memories. Ionia Cherry Farm
3. Constantia Farm – Elgin, Western Cape
Constantia Farm in the Elgin Valley provides a cherry-picking experience from late October to the first week of December. Visitors can book tours to visit the packing shed and experience the picking, hydro-cooling, sorting, and packaging of fresh cherries. It’s an educational and hands-on way to enjoy the cherry season. Constantia Farm Stall
4. Maloney’s Eye Farm – Magaliesburg, Gauteng
Located in the Cradle of Humankind near Magaliesburg, Maloney’s Eye Farm specializes in the production of high-quality cherries. While they focus on production and distribution, they offer insights into cherry farming and the opportunity to purchase fresh cherries directly from the farm. Maloneys Cherries
5. Crimson Creek Cherry Farm – Western Cape
Crimson Creek Cherry Farm, established in 2005, has 7 hectares of cherry orchards aimed specifically at the export market. While they focus on high-quality production, they offer farm tours and the opportunity to purchase premium cherries directly from the farm. SA Cherries
These farms offer unique cherry-picking experiences across South Africa, each with its own charm and offerings. Whether you’re in the Western Cape or the Free State, there’s a cherry farm waiting for you to explore and enjoy the sweet fruits of the season.
Most cherries are grown in cooler regions such as:
Ceres (Western Cape)
Ficksburg (Free State – known as the “Cherry Capital” of South Africa)
Kouebokkeveld and Witzenberg Valley (Western Cape highlands)
If you’re planning a cherry-picking outing, mid to late November is typically the sweet spot — the cherries are fully ripe, farms are open for picking, and the weather is perfect for a day outdoors (and for making ice cream afterwards!).
We’ve had a few cherry and berry-picking adventures over the years, always returning home with baskets full of fruit and the delicious dilemma of what to make first. Those afternoons of baking, blending, and churning together are some of my most treasured memories. Now that the kids are older, we still keep the tradition alive — only this time, they’re the ones doing the baking and churning.
Over the years, our cherry-picking ritual has found its rhythm. We come home with buckets of cherries, give them a good rinse, and head straight to the kitchen. Cherries never last long here — they end up in smoothies, crumbles, or baked into my favourite cherry almond bars. There’s something about the mix of sweet cherries and the subtle nuttiness of almond that I just can’t resist. It’s a pairing that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
I first made this Cherry Almond Ice Cream last year during one of our Ice Cream Workshops at Kalmoesfontein. It was part of our gelato session — a creamy, custard-based recipe that we churned together in the most beautiful, rustic setting. There’s something about making ice cream on a warm afternoon, surrounded by the hum of the farm and the smell of fresh cream, that just feels like summer.
This time, though, I’m sharing a simpler version with you — a no-churn recipe that captures the same dreamy cherry-almond flavour without any of the fuss. It’s perfect for making at home, especially after a day of cherry picking, when you want something cold and delicious but don’t feel like washing a mountain of bowls.
Ice Cream Workshops
And if you’d like to join the full experience, keep an eye out for our upcoming workshop dates at Kalmoesfontein as we celebrate the start of summer and cherry season. There’s always ice cream, laughter, and a little bit of magic in the air.
Creamy Cherry Almond No-Churn Ice Cream—juicy cherries and a hint of almond essence, no machine needed! Perfect for summer
Scale
Ingredients
1 can sweetened condensed milk (395g)
500ml fresh cream
½ cup cherry purée
Optional: chopped cherries for folding in
Cherry Puree
2 cups cherries pitted
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbs lemon juice
5ml almond essence
Instructions
Cherry Puree
Remove the pits from the cherries. Place the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the cherries are soft and the mixture has thickened. Purée the mixture using a stick blender or food processor until smooth. If you don’ like the texture of the cherrie skins you can also strain it through a sieve. Transfer the purée to an airtight container and refrigerate until completely cool.
Method:
In a large bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form.
In another bowl, mix the condensed milk with the cherry purée.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cherry-condensed milk mixture until fully combined. Keep it light and airy.
If you like, fold in some chopped cherries for extra texture.
Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container and smooth the top.
Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until set.
Notes
You will only need ½ cup of the purée for the gelato recipe. The remaining purée can be used in smoothies, baking, or other recipes.
Hi, I'm Ankie! Welcome to Wooden Spoon Kitchen, my pantry of life, love and health where we constantly stir laughter, learning, eating and cooking together!
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