The Vintage Cherry Pitting Tool That Attaches To Your Table

As we cheers to cherry season, we're drooling in anticipation of cherry pies, jams, cobblers, and arguably the best summer snack of a simple bowl of cherries. The only downfall is that juicy bite comes at a price, and that price is effort. Snacking on cherries and tossing the pit doesn't take too much thought, but when a pie or two is on the menu, we're looking at hours of work and lots of cherry stains. But that prep time can be cut down by securing an antique cherry pitting tool right to the table. 

Back when buying pitted cherries wasn't an option, sweet tooth's had to go the extra mile. Cherry pitters, or cherry stoners, have been a kitchen convenience for centuries. While the exact history of this genius tool is a bit fuzzy, it seems it was created sometime in the late 1800s, with many antique cherry pitters marked as being made in the 1880s. After home cooks were tired of sore hands and lost time in the kitchen, these hefty, often ornate devices were designed to do the work for them. With one quick motion, the tool removes the pits from cherries without compromising the fruit. 

This antique tool is clamped to a table and works like an engine, with a hand crank that feeds the cherries through the machine and leaves their pits behind. It excels when it comes to speedy de-pitting, but it isn't too gentle with the fruit. It's an ideal tool for any recipe that calls for copious amounts of cherries that don't have to be in perfect condition like pies or jams. Over the years, tons of inventors have debuted various styles of cherry-pitting devices, with many catering to those aiming for a daintier presentation.

The earliest cherry pitters still floating around collectors' markets today are easy to spot with their intricate designs reminiscent of old-world craftsmanship. Originally made with alloys such as cast iron, the heavy tool doesn't budge after being clamped onto any suitable countertop. There are certainly scores of cherry pitters lining shelves at antique malls worldwide, but luckily they can be found without a scavenger hunt. Many brands have recreated the classic design while others have produced modern spins on the product. The cherry pitting tools of today are typically designed similar to a hole punch, with a clamp that holds the fruit in place as a needle pierces through the middle to discard the pit.

The most common question with kitchen gadgets like these is, is it worth it? In this case, yes, and, if you opt for an antique model, the durability can't be beaten.