To get to the beginning of maraschino cherries, you've got to look at maraschino liqueur first. In the early 1800s, Luxardo distillery (yes, the same company that still makes those luxurious ...

These jarred cherries are actually the original maraschino cherries. Yep, they predate the neon red ones we know (and still love, especially in desserts like this chocolate-cherry Bundt cake).