Grapes are the most popular and cultivated berry, yet we know little more about them except they’re good for eating as-is, make delicious raisins when dried and wine when crushed. Discover a few new facts about grapes, then try a new way of enjoying these juicy vine-growing fruits.
Grape Varieties
With thousands of grape varieties and their hybrid cousins, space doesn’t permit listing all of them. The ones we are most familiar with are found in the supermarket, like the seedless varieties of Red Flame and Thompson. Concord is another grapes we’re familiar with and usually comes in jars of jelly and jams or bottles of juice. Green, red, black and gold colors, seeded or seedless, fresh, dried, crushed and jellied, the combinations and varieties are endless and some are bound to find their way into most every diet.
Buying Grapes
When buying a fresh bunch of grapes at the supermarket, look for plump berries covered with smooth, unbroken skins. All the grapes in the bunch should be firmly attached to a stem that is not shriveled. Bunch grapes are often covered with a whitish color called a ‘bloom’, this is a natural occurrence that prevents the grapes from losing their moisture.
When buying green grapes and desiring the sweetest in the bunch, look for the ones with a pale yellow color.
Storing Grapes
Remove damaged grapes from the stem and discard. Place remaining grapes (still attached to stem) in a plastic bag and refrigerate for up to one week. Do not rinse until ready to eat as this will remove the flavor-protecting bloom.
Serving Suggestions
Frozen grapes are a cooling treat on a hot summer’s day. Rinse and remove grapes from stem, place in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Freeze, remove from cookie sheet and place frozen grapes in airtight container. Eat frozen or use in drinks like ice cubes.
Grapes thread perfectly on skewers and help make no-cook appetizers when skewered alternately with cheese cubes and prosciutto.
To add a sweet, juicy crunch to chicken salad, half your favorite seedless grape variety and toss into the salad mix. Sweet grape halves pair well with bitter greens in a tossed salad too.
Change up a morning flavor routine by using thinly sliced grapes to top yogurt, toasted English muffins or cereal.
Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidant; naturally low in calories and high in fiber; you just can’t go wrong eating a few grapes each day.
