Montmorency Tart Cherry: The Complete Guide

The Montmorency tart cherry is a special sweet cherry relative from North America and Europe. It differs from table cherries by a particularly dense spectrum of secondary plant compounds – especially anthocyanins and other polyphenols. This Cellavent guide explains what botanically defines the Montmorency, what forms of concentration and processing are available, and which of the five Cherry-PLUS products is suitable for which application.

What is the Montmorency Tart Cherry?

The Montmorency tart cherry (botanically Prunus cerasus, cultivar name Montmorency) is a tart cherry variety that has been cultivated since the 17th century in the Montmorency region north of Paris and is now primarily grown in the USA, Canada, and Poland. It differs from the sweet cherry (Prunus avium) by a significantly higher acid profile, lower sugar content, and a denser spectrum of secondary plant compounds.

Characteristic of the Montmorency is its coloration: deep red skin, light red flesh, clear juice. The intense color is due to anthocyanins, a subgroup of flavonoids. In terms of taste, it is sour-aromatic and, due to this profile, is rarely eaten raw but frequently processed into juice, concentrate, powder, or extract.

Polyphenols, Anthocyanins & Other Plant Compounds

Tart cherries contain a wide range of secondary plant compounds. From a nutritional physiological perspective, three groups are in focus:

• Anthocyanins – water-soluble pigments from the flavonoid family. Responsible for the red color. Main representatives in Montmorency: Cyanidin-3-Glucosylrutinoside and Cyanidin-3-Rutinoside.
• Flavonols – e.g., Quercetin and Kaempferol, bound as glycosides.
• Hydroxycinnamic acids – e.g., Chlorogenic acid, Neochlorogenic acid.

In addition, Montmorency contains natural amounts of melatonin – an endogenous signaling molecule found in the fruit. The amounts are low compared to pharmaceutical melatonin preparations but higher than in most other fruits. Also typical: vitamin C, potassium, and a moderate fiber content (in dry powder).

The polyphenol concentration of a single fruit is limited. In concentrates and extracts, these substances are bound in a denser form – a 50:1 or 75:1 concentrate means that one part concentrate is obtained from 50 or 75 parts fruit, respectively.

Juice, Concentrate, Powder, Extract – The Forms of Processing

Tart cherries come in various forms of concentration and preparation on the market:

• Direct juice: Freshly pressed, uncooked or pasteurized. Lowest concentration, highest volume per daily dose.
• Juice concentrate: Evaporated direct juice. Water is gently removed, and the ingredients remain in higher density.
• Powder concentrate: Freeze- or spray-dried concentrate. Long shelf life, easy to dose in capsules.
• Standardized extract: Extract with a defined polyphenol or anthocyanin content, e.g., “43 mg polyphenols per daily dose."
• Complex product: Tart cherry combined with other ingredients (e.g., saffron, L-tryptophan, vitamin B6, magnesium, zinc) for specific application situations.

Which form is useful depends on the desired application: Those who love the classic juice taste and prefer a liquid daily routine take concentrate. Those who prefer a taste-neutral capsule solution opt for powder capsules. Those aiming for a specific application (e.g., sleep phase, sports recovery) can resort to complex products.

Research Topics Related to Tart Cherries

The Montmorency tart cherry has been the subject of scientific investigation since the 2000s. Research focuses on:

• antioxidant properties of anthocyanins in vitro
• the bioavailability of polyphenols from tart cherry concentrates in humans
• effects of tart cherry concentrate on markers studied in physical recovery after exercise
• observational studies on sleep-wake markers
• research on uric acid levels in specific subject groups

The study situation is heterogeneous. Individual research results do not allow for general conclusions. Cellavent refrains from presenting individual study statements as promises of effect and instead describes the objectifiable product properties (concentration factor, polyphenol content, processing) as well as the general framework of the scientific discussion.

The Cellavent Cherry-PLUS Range in Comparison

Cellavent offers five Cherry-PLUS products with different profiles.

Application & Dosage

The recommended intake is documented on every product packaging. In general:

• Juice concentrate: Usually 10 ml/day pure or diluted with water, mineral water or juice. Store opened bottle in the refrigerator.
• Capsules: With sufficient liquid with a meal.
• Silence (night formulation): Approximately 30–60 minutes before bedtime.
• Storage: Cool, dry, protected from light. Close powder forms airtight.

EU Health Claim Status

For tart cherry, Montmorency concentrate or anthocyanins, there are no health claims approved under Regulation (EC) 1924/2006 in the EU. Therefore, efficacy claims for pure tart cherry concentrate are not permitted in EU advertising.

In the Cellavent complex products Cherry PLUS Silence and Cherry PLUS Forte, minerals and vitamins are included for which approved EU health claims exist – they can be legally used if the defined daily dose is reached, in each case only for the respective ingredient:

• Magnesium contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and normal psychological function.
• Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
• Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function and normal metabolism.
• Vitamin C (in Forte Concentrate) contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Cellavent refrains from attributing these claims to the tart cherry component and always identifies the respective nutrient actually carrying the claim.

Which Cherry-PLUS Product is Right for Me?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Sources & Further Research

1. European Commission – EU Register of nutrition and health claims made on foods. ec.europa.eu
2. Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) – Secondary plant compounds and food supplements. bfr.bund.de
3. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies – Scientific Opinions on vitamins and minerals. efsa.europa.eu
4. PubMed – Research database for "montmorency cherry". pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Status: May 2026 · Responsible: Cellavent Healthcare GmbH, Monheim am Rhein.