Varieties

Green Seedless: These oval, amber green grapes are the most popular fresh variety grown in the United States (and also the foremost variety used for processing into raisins). Season: June through November.

Red Seedless: Round, deep red, and seedless, these grapes are sweet-tart and crunchy. Season: mid-June through September; Chilean imports are available from December through April.

Black Seedless: These are the only seedless black grapes. They are spicy and sweet, resembling Concords in flavor. Season: late May to early July.

Care and Handling

Availability - Green Giant® Fresh Grapes are available year round.

Selection - Grapes are thin-skinned and easily damaged. They should be displayed no more than two bunches deep, and under refrigeration. Bunches may be wrapped in tissue paper, or enclosed in perforated plastic bags. Loose bunches are easiest to evaluate, but the wrapped grapes are better protected from damage caused by customer handling.

Grapes are not picked and shipped until ripe, so unripe grapes are not usually a problem for the consumer. You can, however, use color as a guide to the sweetest fruit. Green grapes should tend toward a translucent yellow-green rather than an opaque grass green; all fruit on a bunch of red grapes should be predominantly crimson; and blue grapes should be darkly hued, almost black. Once they have been picked, grapes will not ripen further: If you spot a bunch with many underdeveloped, very green fruits, leave it in the store.

Storage - Before storing grapes at home, remove any spoiled fruit. Place unwashed grapes in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. They should keep for about a week.

Preparation - Wash grapes under cold water just before serving and remove any damaged fruit. Leave the bunch whole, or divide it into smaller branches for serving. (This is easily done with a pair of kitchen shears).

Cooking - Use grapes as a colorful addition to fruit or lettuce salads. Add halved grapes to fruit pizzas, or pair them with cheese and crackers for simple hors d'oeuvres when entertaining guests.

Freezing - To freeze grapes, simply wash, dry, and remove stems. Pack grapes in airtight containers or freezer bags.