The Purple Pearl of the Sun: Zeeuwse Zonnekers

“The Zeeuwse Zonnekers is simply the tastiest,” says Johan Elenbaas enthusiastically. Near the town of Arnemuiden in Walcheren — right on the border with South Beveland — you’ll find our Zeeland cherry grower: Zeeuwse Zonnekers, the Elenbaas family business.

With passion and love for this delicious, healthy, and versatile fruit, these cherries are grown on mineral-rich Zeeland clay. “Thanks to the fertile soil, the cherries are of top quality and delightfully sweet,” Johan explains. Zeeuwse Zonnekers quite literally reaps the fruits of their labor. “Day and night, we do everything we can to harvest the best cherries in the Netherlands.”

Zeeuwse Zonnekers is, just like Van Gelder, a true family business. Along with their farm shop, Landwinkel Elenbaas, the company is part of the Elenbaas fruit-growing family. Jaco works in the orchard with his brother Marcel and son Johan, while Dianne (Jaco’s wife) and Anneliene (Johan’s wife) run the farm shop. Anja (Marcel’s wife) also supports the business in various ways.