Grapes Green Seedless

Description

Description/Taste

Green seedless grapes are small to medium in size and are round to slightly oval in shape, growing in tight or loose clusters depending on the variety. The skin ranges from yellow-green to bright green and is typically crisp, firm, and smooth. The flesh is pale green, semi-translucent, and seedless, though some seedless varieties may have a few underdeveloped seeds that are undetectable when consumed. Green seedless grapes are mild and sweet with a slightly tart flavor.

Seasons/Availability

Green seedless grapes are available year-round, with peak season in the summer through fall

Current Facts

Green seedless grapes grow on deciduous woody vines and are members of the genus Vitis. The exact origins of seedless grapes are unknown, but they were believed to have been created in ancient times, and there are three main types of green table grapes grown around the world today including the European (Vitis vinifera), North American (Vitis labrusca), and hybrids of the two. Green seedless grapes are propagated by cuttings and are predominately used as a table grape for fresh eating. The most well-known variety is the Thompson seedless grape, which was the first seedless variety commercialized and is still one of the top table grapes produced in the United States today.

Nutritional Value

Green seedless grapes contain vitamins A, C, and K, and antioxidants including flavanols.

Applications

Green seedless grapes are best suited for raw consumption and are most often eaten fresh, out-of-hand, or sliced and mixed into green salads, yogurt, or veggie wraps. They can also be pressed to make juice as the lightly sweet, yet tart flavor is perfect for cocktails and wine spritzers, or they can be dried to make raisins. Green seedless grapes can be roasted and cooked down into sauces and jams or frozen and whipped into an instant sorbet. Green seedless grapes pair well with pancetta, prosciutto, cheeses such as brie, gorgonzola, and cream cheese, cucumber, pecans, and sunflower seeds. They will keep up to two weeks when stored in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen whole for up to twelve months.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

A popular New Year’s Eve tradition in Spain dating back to the 1880s involves eating twelve green grapes, each symbolizing one month of the year. The tradition known as “The 12 Lucky Grapes” has revelers eating one grape after each toll of the bell after midnight on New Year’s Eve. If all twelve grapes are consumed by the end of the final bell’s toll, it is a sign of good luck in the New Year. Local vineyards in Spain even sell small cans filled with exactly twelve green grapes for the celebration. Seedless grapes are commonly used in this tradition which has helped contribute to the increase in seedless grape production.

Geography/History

Green grapes have been found to date back as far as 6000 BCE and are native to the Mediterranean region. In modern day, Green seedless grapes were developed between 1875-1900 in California by William Thompson, a farmer who developed and named the well-known Thompson seedless grapes. Today Green seedless grapes are grown in North America, Europe, Australia, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, and New Zealand.