Grapes are such a delicious produce option that we are lucky enough to have available year-round, both grown in the United States and elsewhere. There a few main questions that come to mind when selecting fresh grapes from the store, such as should they be soft or hard, does the stem color matter, and how should they be stored. This post is here to help you answer all of those questions you’ve had about fresh grapes, and to teach you all about how to select and store grapes, in order to be able to fully enjoy them.
(This post is an excerpt from The Produce Nerd’s Grocery Guide, with input provided by HMC Farms. You can learn more about the Grocery Guide, which covers this information for 55 different produce items, with input from 26 crop-specific companies HERE.)
What to look for when picking the best quality grapes?
- Look for grapes with green stems and grapes that are not shriveling at the stem end.
- You want the grapes to be firm to the touch and still completely attached. You do not want to buy a bag of grapes with multiple grapes that have fallen off the stems and are at the bottom of the bag.
- Table grape season in California runs from Mid-July – December. As with most fruits, the best time to buy table grapes is when it is in peak season.
Are there any new cultivars that are being grown that might have different quality indicators or common issues to look out for?
- There are new varieties of table grapes coming into production every year.
What is the best way to store grapes at home?
- Once purchased, place grapes in the fridge to extend their shelf life.
Are there any common things that consumers should look for not mentioned above?
- Some grapes are sold by variety and some are sold by color. Find a variety or producer that you prefer and request them from your local produce department to increase the odds of an enjoyable experience.
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