The soluble solids content of ‘Rainier’ sweet cherries was significantly correlated with fruit color, weight, and firmness. As the harvest season progressed, the correlation between soluble solids and fruit weight was reduced, but correlations between soluble solids and fruit color remained high. Maturity indicator values (soluble solids, color, weight, and firmness) were highly dependent on location in the tree. Fruit from the tree interior was less mature than from the exterior or top. Maturity differences due to fruit location were evident over the entire harvest period. Cherries with 16% soluble solids were firmer than cherries with 18%, but sensory evaluation showed poorer appearance and taste for the cherries with 16% soluble solids.
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Drake et al. (1987) studied this question.