3 Ways to Keep Grapes Fresh

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3 Ways to Keep Grapes Fresh
3 Ways to Keep Grapes Fresh

Video: 3 Ways to Keep Grapes Fresh

Video: 3 Ways to Keep Grapes Fresh
Video: How to Cut up and Freeze a Pineapple - Simple Steps to Freeze for Smoothies, Baking and Eating. 2024, March
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Fresh grapes are a healthy and delicious treat to snack on anytime, just wash and eat! Grapes are full of vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. Preserves them with a great appearance and flavor by choosing fresh bunches, storing them properly and consuming the grapes in five to ten days.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Choosing Fresh Grapes

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 1
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 1

Step 1. Look for grapes that are firm in the bunch

Those that have a brownish stem and that detach easily when pulled are usually overripe and can spoil very quickly. Avoid bunches of almost loose grapes: only pick those with fruit that are firmly attached to the stem.

  • You can buy them all year round, but the best season to find fresh grapes is in autumn, which is considered the fruit season.
  • Go to open markets to find fresher varieties than those available in supermarkets. The grapes sold at the fairs were usually harvested a day or two ago, while those in the supermarket have been taken from the tree much longer.
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 2
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 2

Step 2. Look for green grapes with a more yellowish hue or plumper red grapes

Fresh green grapes range from a light greenish-yellow to light green, while red and purple grapes can range from a light red hue to a dark purple, almost black. Choose red grapes that have no hint of green and are very plump.

  • There are many grape varieties and therefore many color possibilities. Look for other signs that the fruit is fresh if you're not quite sure what color to expect.
  • Avoid buying grapes with brown spots, as this is a sign that they are rotting.
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 3
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 3

Step 3. Smell the fruit and see if it smells like vinegar

Due to fermentation, the grapes that are spoiling give off a strong smell of vinegar. Fresh grapes should have a sweet scent, so if you pick a bunch and smell a sour smell, look for another one! You should also pay attention to the brownish stains that often accompany the smell of vinegar.

The same process that is responsible for the rotting of the grapes is also what leaves the wine with a vinegar taste if it is not stored properly. If you ever drink a wine with a sour taste, be aware that the bacteria present in the grape have turned it into acetic acid and spoiled the drink

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 4
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 4

Step 4. Avoid curls that show signs of mold

If any grapes have white or gray spots or a hairy appearance, look for another bunch. The mold on the grapes also makes the fruit softer, in addition to making it more easily detach from the stalk.

Mold is a sign of decay and can spread in the blink of an eye to grapes that are still healthy in the bunch. When locating mold spots on some of them, choose another bunch

Method 2 of 3: Saving the Grapes

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 5
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 5

Step 1. Leave the grapes in the original packaging unwashed

The original packaging has the right balance between ventilation and protection, keeping the bunch as fresh as possible. Do not wash the grapes before putting them away, as the water makes the fruit mold. Just put the box in the fridge as it arrived.

You can store the grapes in a closed plastic bag, but without proper ventilation, they spoil faster

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 6
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 6

Step 2. Throw away the spoiled grapes

Check the purchased bunch and look for loose, brown or moldy grapes. If there is one like that, rip it out and throw it in the trash. These rotten grapes can end up spoiling the ones that are closer.

Ideally, the bunches purchased do not come with any spoiled grapes, but if that happens, the best way to deal with the problem is not to allow the rest to be affected

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 7
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 7

Step 3. Place the bag or box with the untouched grapes in the highest, wettest drawer of the refrigerator

Grapes are better preserved if kept at 0 ºC and at a humidity level between 90% and 95%. Therefore, a drawer with moisture is ideal.

If your refrigerator doesn't have a drawer like this, place the bunch farther into the back of the appliance, where it's usually colder

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 8
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 8

Step 4. Keep them away from odorous foods

Grapes are very susceptible to absorbing odors. Also, the bags or boxes they come in are perforated to ensure ventilation. Therefore, it is best that the fruit stay away from strong-smelling foods, such as onions or leeks, as the odor can spread to the grapes and change their flavor.

Another option is to keep them close to foods with pleasant smells, such as other species of fruit (passion fruit or jackfruit), which can even become a fun experience to create a fusion of flavors

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 9
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 9

Step 5. Freeze the grapes to use in smoothies, wines or chilled snacks

Frozen grapes form delicious ice cubes to consume in the summer, in addition to preserving their flavor for weeks. Wash them with cold water, dry them lightly and remove them from the bunch. Then place the grapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking to the pan.

  • Do not try to defrost the grapes afterwards, as they are softened and taste different. Instead, put them in vitamins, use them like ice cubes, or savor them that way.
  • Grapes last three to five months in the freezer, but can lose flavor more quickly.

Method 3 of 3: Serving the Grapes

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 10
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 10

Step 1. Take them out of the original packaging and wash them within five to ten days

They start to rot after a few days in the fridge, so be sure to eat them as soon as possible. Before serving them, wash the bunch with cold water and dry everything with a paper towel.

Wash grapes to remove bacteria and pesticides, which can be harmful to health

Keep Grapes Fresh Step 11
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 11

Step 2. Eat the grapes at snack time or put them in salads, appetizers and smoothies

You can just put them in a bowl and savor them, or get more creative and make a smoothie, fruit salad, or other recipe.

  • Red grapes are a great complement to chicken or tuna salads, while greens go well with yogurt and granola.
  • Older grapes are good for supplementing vitamins or homemade jams.
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 12
Keep Grapes Fresh Step 12

Step 3. Use the frozen grapes as decorative ice cubes

This option is nice to chill the wine without having to worry that the melting of the ice will change the taste of the drink. Simply remove the red or white grapes from the freezer and place two or four frozen units in the bowl.

Use red grapes to preserve the flavor of red wine and greens for white wine, making them more consistent

Tips

  • If there are too many grapes spoiling at the same time, you can make a jelly.
  • Add the fruits that are starting to get overcooked to marinate in the sugared wine and freeze them, thus preparing a sweet appetizer.

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