Keep Grapes Fresh

Fresh grapes are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and many other vitamins that are associated with good heart health. Fresh grapes also have the ability to improve cognition, eyesight, and blood pressure levels. There are many different ways you can keep grapes fresh and tasty for up to several days and weeks after the purchase date.

Steps

Choosing Fresh Grapes

1. Search for grapes with green stems that are firmly connected to the fruit. Grapes with brown stems that disconnect easily are often extremely ripe, and may spoil at a faster rate.
2. Examine the colors and hues of grapes to determine their ripeness. All white grapes should have a frosty green hue, whereas red and purple grapes should have rich, dark tones.
   • Avoid purchasing grapes that feature brown discoloration or abnormal hues, which are signs that may indicate rot.
3. Verify that the grapes smell fresh and sweet. Grapes that have become spoiled may smell strongly of vinegar as a result of fermentation.
4. Look for signs of mold on clusters of grapes. If grapes are excessively soft to the touch and are displaying white and gray patches of mold, choose a different bunch of grapes. Mold is a sign of rot and could spread quickly to the remaining healthy grapes in your bunch.

Storing Grapes to Maintain Freshness

1. Place your grapes in the refrigerator immediately upon arriving home. Grapes will stay freshest when stored at temperatures between 30 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 and 0 degrees Celsius).
2. Place grapes into a sealed plastic bag or airtight container without washing them. Washing your grapes will accelerate the ripening process, and will cause them to spoil quickly within 7 days.
   • Wash your grapes only if you have plans to freeze them right away. Before placing in the freezer, make sure to line the grapes on a cookie sheet to prevent them from freezing and sticking together, then place them into a separate storage container after each grape has become individually frozen.
3. Store your grapes at the back of the refrigerator. The space at the back of your refrigerator is often kept cooler, and will help keep your grapes fresh for between 2 and 3 weeks.
4. Separate stacks of grapes when buying in bulk to promote air circulation. Keeping crates of grapes stacked on top of one another may cause them to spoil sooner.
5. Store your grapes away from odorous foods, such as onions and leeks. Grapes have the ability to absorb odors, and may acquire a strange or stale taste if stored near odorous foods.

Preparing Grapes for Consumption

1. Rinse or wash grapes immediately before eating or cooking. Rinsing grapes can help remove bacteria and other foreign residue from the fruit that could be harmful to your health.
2. Eat grapes within 72 hours of being removed from refrigeration. Grapes that have been removed from refrigeration will start to wrinkle and shrink after a 72-hour time period.

Tips

• When including grapes in packed lunches, keep them frozen and remove from the freezer immediately before packing. By the time you eat lunch, the grapes will be fully defrosted and taste cool and fresh.

Warnings

• Grapes will continue to ripen after they have been picked. Keep grapes refrigerated or frozen until the time of consumption to ensure lasting freshness.

Related Articles

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Sources and Citations

See also

• Can Syrup
• Preserve Fruit
• Vacuum Pack Food
• Make a Frozen Bagel Taste Freshly Baked
• Make Prunes
• Keep a Cut Apple from Turning Brown
• Make Raisins
• Keep Sliced Bananas from Discoloring
• Can Tomatoes
• Keep Bananas from Ripening Too Fast

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