Grapes are the sixth largest crop in the United States with all 50 states producing them. The majority of summer grapes grow in California’s San Joaquin Valley, where low rainfall, limited frost, hot summers, and rich soil create ideal growing conditions and ensure exceptional flavor. However, go beyond the basic red and green grapes in grocery stores and you’ll find that there’s so much to discover about them. This handy visual guide to grapes includes Cotton Candy Grapes, Muscatos™ Grapes, Champagne Grapes, and 9 other varieties. You may already be familiar with some varieties. Others, you may find fascinating enough to add to your next food adventure.
Grape Varieties:
BLACK MUSCATOS™ GRAPES
July to Oct
Rich, fruity, super sweet flavor with a soft juicy flesh. Stronger on the palette compared to the red and green varieties.
RED MUSCATOS™ GRAPES
Feb to Mar, July to Sept
Intense, super sweet flavor with a firm texture. Slightly sweeter than the green variety.
GREEN MUSCATOS™ GRAPES
Feb to Mar, July to Oct
Intensely, sweet and slightly tangy flavor and crisp and crunchy flesh.
CANDY HEARTS® GRAPES
March
Rich, candied sweet flavor with concentrated notes of caramel and toasted marshmallow. Nicknamed the “Red Cotton Candy® Grape”
CANDY SWEETS® GRAPES
April to May, Late July to Mid Sept
Syrupy-sweet flavor with a firm, crunchy texture. An excellent kids snack or lunchbox favorite.
COTTON CANDY® GRAPES
Mar to April, Aug to Sept
Delicate, amazingly sweet flavor actually similar to cotton candy with a soft juicy flesh.
CHRISTMAS CRUNCH GRAPES
Oct to Dec
Uniquely sweet flavor developed by a late season harvest. Large in size with a pronounced crunchy texture.
CHAMPAGNE GRAPES
June to Sept
Sweet with a slight tartness in a petite size.
Popular as dessert fruit or gourmet garnish.
Jelly Drops™ Grapes
Aug to Sept
Aromatic, earthy flavor similar to Concord grapes with a mellow sweetness like Thompson grapes. Plump and juicy with a thin skin.
SWEET SAPPHIRE GRAPES
Feb to Mar
Extremely sweet with a texture so firm it can be snapped in half and large enough to stuff. An eye-catching party platter finger food!
WINTER CRUNCH GRAPES
Sept to Dec
Sweet flavor and very juicy with a crunchy texture. A superb, late season red grape.
Ideas for using Grapes!
– Bake them into desserts such as this Black Muscatos™ Grapes Buckle
– Stuff them into lunch boxes. They’re the perfect size!
– Roast them or grill them and layer over flatbreads, pizza and crostini
– Make jams and jellies with them
– Add them to drinks and cocktails as garnishes
– Feature them in cheese platters as a beautiful addition
1. Brought From Spain
Spanish explorers introduced the fruit to America about 300 years ago.
2. They’re Berries!
Yes, grapes are a kind of berry. They have a leathery covering and a fleshy inside, similar to blueberries.
3. The Grape Family
There are more than 8,000 grape varieties from about 60 species. The main types are American and European.
4. Calories and Nutrition
One cup of grapes, with about 100 calories, provides more than a quarter of the daily recommended values of vitamins K and C. Grape seeds, which are edible, are chock-full of antioxidants.
5. Grapes Into Wine
It takes about 2.5 pounds of grapes to make one bottle of wine.
6. Grapes Making Raisins
Raisins are dried, sweet grapes. The drying happens naturally when the grapes are left in sunlight.
7. Concord Grapes
These plump blue grapes get their name from Concord, MA, where they were developed. They have a distinctive taste and can survive colder climates.
8. Many Colors
Grapes come in many colors, including green, red, black, yellow, pink, and purple. “White” grapes are actually green.
