Costco is bringing back a fan-favorite Italian fruit preserve and shoppers are practically beside themselves.
If you’re not already familiar with amarena cherries, consider them the cooler, older sister to the beloved maraschino cherry. They’re both preserved in a sweet syrup and used for cocktails and desserts; the main differences between them are the type of cherry used, its flavor and how they’re preserved.
Amarena cherries are made from sour cherries and contain no artificial colors or flavorings; they typically feature a more complex sour-tart flavor and are preserved in a sugary cherry juice mix. The candy-preserved cherry is associated with the Italian cities of Bologna and Modena, where Fabbri’s famous recipe originated and where many companies still produce the treat. Maraschino cherries, on the other hand, are usually not exclusive to any specific variety and often rely on added colors and sweeteners to offer a more intense, sugary experience.
For these reasons (and more), amarena cherries are, generally, more expensive than maraschino cherries. But if you shop at Costco, you’re in luck because “huge” jars of the preserved stone fruit have been spotted on shelves for a bargain.
Amarena Cherries From Italy Return to Costco in ‘Huge’ 2-Lb Jars
Earlier this week, several Costco members took to Reddit to celebrate and alert the others: their favorite cherries are back, and the price can’t be beat.
Related: Costco Shoppers Spot ‘Delicious’ Variety of Viral Swedish Candy for a Steal
“Huge jar of Amarena cherries are back!!” the original poster (OP) exclaimed, explaining they spotted the jars at a Tampa-area Costco. “They’re $18.99 I think and LESS than that smaller jar at all the liquor stores near me.”
“Delicious,” OP later added. “Perfect for old fashioned cocktails or just over ice cream.”
“These are such a good deal compared to other stores,” a second fan replied. “Always enjoy them on some vanilla ice cream or some Greek yogurt.”
“Thanks for the heads up. I’ve been waiting for this item for months!” a third cheered, adding that their local Italian grocer sells the same size container for $40.
“Good deal,” another shared in part, before someone else began gushing over the “amazing value.”
For reference, Amazon currently has a container that’s less than one-quarter the size of Costco’s 35.2-ounce jar, listed for almost the same price (8.1-ounce jar for $19.99), and Williams-Sonoma offers a 21-ounce container for $34.95. In the past, Trader Joe’s was also the place to find them for a steal, but only if you were looking for a smaller 16-ounce container (historically, it retailed for about $5). It’s currently unclear whether the cult-favorite discount grocer plans to bring them back this year.
And if Costco’s price still doesn’t seem good to you, the item is currently on sale for $4.80 off and is selling out quickly. That said, this gargantuan container of the original Fabbri’s Amarena Cherries has been spotted at Costco stores in several states across the country—including Florida, Washington, Nevada, and New York—leading us to believe that it’s not exclusive to any one region, and should be available at most stores while supplies last.
Next: World’s Largest Panettone Producer Debuts ‘Indulgent’ New Dessert
