Balaton® Sour Cherry Tree

Balaton® is the sour cherry that raises the bar on Montmorency — introduced to the United States in 1998 as a joint introduction by Hungary and Michigan State University, bringing a larger, firmer, and noticeably sweeter pie cherry from Újfehértói, Hungary that outperforms Montmorency in every practical kitchen direction. Named for Lake Balaton in honor of its Hungarian heritage, Balaton® ripens in late June — slightly later than Montmorency — extending the sour cherry season and providing an overlapping harvest window for growers who plant both varieties. The bright red juice is as beautiful in the jar as the fruit is on the tree. Self-pollinating, larger crops with a companion, across Zones 5–8.

Sweeter, Larger, and Firmer Than Montmorency

The comparison to Montmorency is the most useful way to understand what Balaton® offers. Montmorency is the standard by which American sour cherries are measured — and Balaton® exceeds it on three of its most practical qualities: the fruit is larger, the flesh is firmer, and the flavor is noticeably sweeter while retaining the tangy sour cherry character that makes pie cherries so culinarily valuable. That combination produces better fresh-eating quality, better freeze-and-thaw performance, and better results in pies, preserves, and cobblers.

Hungary and Michigan State University — Introduced 1998

Balaton®'s pedigree reflects a genuine international collaboration between Hungarian fruit breeding heritage and the rigorous evaluation standards of Michigan State University’s cherry program. Originating from Újfehértói in northeastern Hungary and brought to American home orchardists in 1998 through that collaboration, it represents the introduction of a genuinely superior pie cherry variety to American growing — one that has found a growing and devoted following among home orchardists who discover it as an alternative to Montmorency.

Bright Red Juice — Extended Season and Beautiful Preserves

Balaton®'s bright red flesh and juice produce deeply colored, visually beautiful pies, preserves, and canned cherries that reflect the quality of the fruit itself. The late June ripening arrives slightly after Montmorency, extending the pie cherry season for growers who appreciate the timing flexibility — or the succession harvest when both varieties are planted together.

Why Growers Choose Balaton® Sour Cherry

• Sweeter, larger, and firmer than Montmorency — raises the bar on the standard pie cherry
• Hungary and Michigan State University, introduced 1998 — internationally pedigreed variety
• Bright red juice and flesh — beautiful pies, preserves, and canned cherries
• Late June ripening — extends the pie cherry season beyond Montmorency
• Self-pollinating — productive with just one tree
• Outstanding for pies, preserves, canning, freezing, and fresh eating — fully versatile