Everything Grapes

Source: www.goodhousekeeping.com

It is harvest season for grapes, and we’re here to shed some light on this nutritious fruit!

Grapes are a form of berry and come in two different forms: table grapes, which are cultivated for use in juices, jams, jellies, pies, and wine grapes, which are fermented into wine.

The majority of U.S. grapes – there are approximately 50 different varieties – are grown in California, due to the warm and moist climate.

Grapes have widely been recognized for their nutritional benefits for thousands of years.  They are comprised of linoleic acid, flavonoids, Vitamin E and powerful antioxidants, which are believed to be instrumental in treating and preventing heart disease, cancer, edema and high cholesterol.   Research has even proven that grapes are useful in the balancing of blood sugar levels, due to their low glycemic index (low sugar content).

How should you store grapes?

• Don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat them, as the extra moisture will make them go bad faster.
• Store unwashed grapes in a plastic bag in the fridge -- good for up to a week.
• If grapes are going bad, freeze them! Wash, dry and transfer to an airtight container to keep in the freezer – a quick snack when you need one!

Want to learn how to incorporate grapes into your diet?  Try our Roasted Grapes or our delicious Pickled Grapes.  And, if you’re looking for something sweet, simply dip your grapes in chocolate!