Grape is a fruiting berry of the deciduous woody vines of the botanical genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making wine, jam, juice, jelly, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar, and grape seed oil. Grapes are a non-climacteric type of fruit, generally occurring in clusters.
Grapes are a type of fruit that
grow in clusters of 15 to 300, and can be crimson, black, dark blue, yellow, green, orange and pink. "White" grapes are actually green in color, and are evolutionarily derived from the purple grape. Mutations in two regulatory genes of white grapes turn off production of anthocyanins, which are responsible for the color of purple grapes. Anthocyanins and other pigment chemicals of the larger family of polyphenols in purple grapes are responsible for the varying shades of purple in red wines. Grapes are typically an ellipsoid shape resembling a prolate spheroid.
Selection and storage
1. Fresh grapes can be available all around the seasons. In the stores, choose those that feature plump in consistency, free from surface wrinkles with intact skin, without any cuts or cracks or leaking juice, and firmly attached to a healthy-looking green stem. Lift up the whole bunch in the air and shake gently; loose berries, if any falls off easily.
2. Buy exactly ripe berries; green grapes should feature slight yellowish hue; red types should be mostly pinkish-red, while purple and blue-black types should be deep and rich in color.
3. Since grapes tends to spoil early and ferment at room temperature, they should always be stored inside the refrigerator. Loosely wrap washed berries in a paper towel and place them in a zip pouch bag set at high relative humidity. This way, they will keep fresh inside the refrigerator for few days.
Grape Tips
4. Place sliced grapes on your favorite
sandwich (also
see ).
5. Serve grapes with cheese and crackers.
Culinary Use of Grapes
Grape is a fruit that can be eaten raw or used in cooking. The most popular use of grapes is to make wine. A microorganism called yeast is present on grape skin since the time of growth and this leads grapes to ferment its juice in order to make wine. Almost all fine brands of wine are made with grapes. Grapes are also dries to form
raisins (recipe using raisin see
here and
here and
here). Raisin is widely used in making sweet and savory dishes. Though grape is a small fruit it’s very juicy and pulpy, hence grape
juice is extracted for adding in various grape recipes. Grape juice can be added to various cocktails and other beverages.
Jams,
jelly,
sauces and some of the most popular grape recipes throughout the world. Some kind of vinegar is also made with grapes. While making wine, a by-product is obtained that is called ‘grape seed oil’. This oil is basically used as a vegetable oil while cooking. In several desserts and puddings, grape is used as a topping or garnish. In many confectionery items, grapes are fondly used.
Health benefits of Grapes:
Grapes are also an excellent source of several different vitamins and nutrients that help keep you healthy. They can even prevent and help treat certain diseases. Here are just a few of the vitamins and nutrients presents in a single serving of grapes:
Grapes contain high levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that assists your body in ridding itself of free radicals within the body. These radicals can attack your cells, weaken your immune system and allow your body to catch certain diseases. The common cold is typically a result of lowered levels of vitamin C in your body. Try eating grapes to supplement your body with vitamin C.
If you're looking to get an energy boost, grapes help you by providing your body with vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 is a vitamin that will give your body energy. Aside from doing that, it will also help keep your nervous system to function properly.
Though you can get flavanoids in leafy, green vegetables, too, grapes are a great source of them. The grapes found in flavanoids reduce your body's chance of suffering from blood clots. If they become enough of a problem, blood clots can cause strokes and also put you at a higher risk for heart attacks and other forms of heart disease. The flavanoids in grapes reduce the risk of these clots, which promotes good blood circulation throughout your body.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, grapes could help to lower it by providing your body with potassium. Potassium also helps fight your body's chances of undergoing a stroke. If you suffer from a lack of energy, you could also be suffering from a potassium deficiency. Try a single serving of grapes everyday to assist you with this.
In addition to the vitamins and nutrients listed above, grapes also have high levels of manganese in them. Manganese helps the body build stronger bones and also builds the connective tissue throughout your body. It also assists the body in calcium absorption, which is very important for those looking to build healthy bones.
Read More at Wikipedia.
Recipes using grape see Here and Here and Here.
