When buying your grapes make sure that they are fresh and plump. They should be uniform in colour without brown spots and they should not drop-off the stem, but yield after pulling slightly.
Before eating them you should, wash them carefully in cool water or store them unwashed in a clear plastic bag or container, separate from other fruit and vegetables. A good place to put them is in your drawer in your refrigerator. When you are ready to eat them, wash with cool water and drain before serving. Preserving them this way will allow you to store them for longer. Which is ideal if like me, you purchase large amounts.
Like I mentioned before, they are a very versatile fruit, you can cut them in half and add them to your salads, mix them into your yogurt, add them to your cereals and even use them as a garnish.
They also make a delicious snack when eaten frozen. To freeze your grapes, first you should wash and dry them by patting with a kitchen towel. Then place a single layer of them on a baking sheet and place in your freezer. Check to see if your tray will actually fit first. When they are frozen solid pack them in air-tight freezer bags. If you pack them in small freezer bags, when you fancy a snack you can just pull out one of your small bags and munch away.
Plus did you know:
o A cupful of red or green grapes contains only 90 - 100 calories
o Two recent reports indicate that substances called anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, which give Concord grape juice its rich colour, may help prevent growth of breast-cancer tumours. The same pigments may also help prevent short-term memory loss.
o A new animal studies discovers antioxidants called polyphenols in grapes protect insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and may help to prevent type 1 diabetes.
o Compounds found in grape seeds may offer protection against sun-related skin cancer.
o They are fat free
o Saturated fat-free
o Sodium-free
o Cholesterol-free
Happy grape eating!
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