Table Grapes Are In Season

If you thought table grapes were the same all year round, it’s time to have a taste test. The year’s best crop is fresh from Mexico. From May through July, the finest harvest of green, red and black grapes will begin to hit supermarket shelves.

These grapes’ bright color and crisp texture signify the end of winter, when fresh, new harvests begin arriving from the Mexican state of Sonora. Grapes for wine and brandy have been grown in Sonora since the days of the Spanish missionaries almost four centuries ago. Out of this tradition, growers in Sonora began growing fresh grapes that are enjoyed across the world. Sonora grapes are coveted for their notably sweet, juicy flavor.

With more than 30,000 acres of vineyards, Sonora supplies 300 million pounds of grapes for U.S. consumption.

Grapes offer several benefits. Not only are they a handy snack, but they’re a unique addition to many summer dishes, including green salads and fruit salads. They enhance the beauty of these dishes as well as their nutritional value. One and a half cups of grapes provide 25 percent of the Daily Value of vitamin C, as well as fiber, vitamin A, calcium and iron.

Popular Types of Grapes

Types of grapes

There are hundreds of types of grapes grown all over the world. Different types grow in different climate regions, thus no two are exactly the same. Grapes are usually classified in to two main groups - the Table and the Wine Grapes. In this article, five popular types of from either of the 2 main groups will be described briefly.

Table Grapes

· Concord Grapes

Concord grapes were grown in the Eastern United States during the 19th century. This type is commonly used in jams, jellies, grape juice, and sweets. Some companies also make wine from Concords, although the wine tend to have a slightly dark, musty flavor which some consumers dislike.