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Grapes

Also indexed as: Cardinal Grapes, Catawba Grapes, Concord Grapes, Emperor Grapes, Flame Seedless Grapes, Green Grapes, Niagara Grapes, Red Grapes, Ribier Grapes, Thompson Seedless Grapes

Grapes can be attractive additions to fruit salads, tarts, curries, and jams.

Grapes are really berries that grow in bunches on long, twining vines that can produce up to 50 bunches per season. Grapevines can produce for up to 60 years or longer. In winemaking, vines are meticulously pruned to limit the number of grapes, thus intensifying the flavor of the wine. Grapes appear in Greek and Roman mythology with the invention of wine, and its intoxicating properties are associated with the god Dionysus (Roman name, Bacchus). Wine was first regarded as a sacred beverage and it remains steeped in symbolism today in many Christian churches.

Varieties

Grapes are often classified according to their use as table or wine grapes. Vitis vinifera, grown in Europe and considered the ideal grape for wine production, encompasses thousands of types. Vitis labrusca and Vitis rotundifolia are primarily found in North America and include the Concord (dark purple to black) grape, which is used both as a table grape and to make juice, jellies, and wine. Another popular grape variety in U.S. markets is the pale green Thompson seedless grape, a variety that accounts for half of the table grapes grown in California, and that is also used to make over 90 percent of the raisins in the United States. Other popular table grape varieties include Cardinal (red), Emperor (bright red), Flame seedless (red), Niagara (green), Catawba (red), and Ribier (jet black).

Buying and storing tips

Choose bunches that are somewhat tight, with fresh stems, grapes firmly attached, and skins intact and without mushy spots. Avoid mold-spotted, wrinkled, raisinlike, or sticky grapes. They do not ripen after harvest. Store grapes refrigerated as they are ripe when they are picked, and warmer temperatures will cause them to wither or ferment. Under refrigeration, grapes will keep for up to two weeks. Keep grapes on their stems, washing them only at the last minute before serving, then blot them dry.

Availability

Grapes are available year-round, with those grown in the United States peaking from mid-June to November.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Grapes can be attractive additions or centers of attention in fruit salads, tarts, curries, and jams. When carefully dried, they become raisins. Grapes can be crushed as a dessert topping. They can also be juiced for a refreshing treat.

Nutritional Highlights

Grapes (red or green), 1 cup, with seeds (approx. 26 grapes)
Calories: 109
Protein: 1.0g
Carbohydrate: 27.4g
Total Fat: 0.89g
Fiber: 1.5g
*Excellent source of: Vitamin C (16.6mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.

Health benefits and concerns

Cancer

Resveratrol is a substance found in grapes that has been reported to have anticancer activity in test tube and animal research. No trials in which cancer patients have been given resveratrol supplements have yet been published; nor has there been any research demonstrating a cancer-preventive effect from eating grapes.

Health benefits and concerns for fruit
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other fruit. Read about health benefits and concerns for fruit for a full description.