Researchers found that treating sweet cherries with phenyllactic acid (PLA), a natural organic acid, can significantly extend their shelf life while keeping them fresh and flavorful. A treatment with 8 mmol·L⁻¹ PLA concentration worked best, reducing decay, maintaining firmness and sweetness, and improving the fruit’s natural antioxidant properties during cold storage. This natural preservative approach offers a safe alternative to chemical fungicides while preserving the delicious taste and nutritional quality that consumers value in cherries.