Grapes are a fruit that many people enjoy eating.
Grapes can be eaten fresh off the vine or used in cooking, such as grape jelly or wine.
But how long do grapes last? The answer is not very long if you don’t store them properly.
In this blog post, we will talk about how to tell when your grapes are going bad and how to keep them fresh for longer.
What are Grapes?
Grapes are the fruit that grows on vines.
Grapes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but they’re typically green or purple when ripe.
This is because grapes contain phenols called anthocyanins which give them their coloration.
The fruits are often eaten raw, although they can also be cooked and used in a wide variety of dishes.
They are closely related to berries since their seeds contain no endosperm like other fruit; the skin surrounds them instead.
When ripe, they’re juicy with an acidic taste due to their high acid content.
They have many health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and reducing bad cholesterol levels in your body.
The word “grapevine” refers to any plant that bears grapes or grape-like clusters, such as hops or apple trees.
Grapevines are different from plants like ivy because they produce fleshy fruits rather than flowers which provide nectar for pollinators (bees).
You can use grapes in desserts such as jam or jelly, and it’s common for them to be used in wine production.
Varieties of Grapes
Different types of grapes are grown around the world, with a number being native to certain regions.
Their qualities can vary depending on soil type and climate, affecting their sugar content, color, flavor, texture, and size.
Varieties grown in the United States include Concord grapes, Delaware grape; Niagara grape; Catawba grape.
Varieties that originated outside the US have been imported for cultivation here because they are not native to the region, including:
Pinot noir & Pinot gris from Burgundy; Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay from Bordeaux.
Each variety of grape has a unique flavor and texture.
Depending on the type of grape and the climate in which it is grown, a wine can have different tastes.
For example, Pinot noir grapes yield fruity red wines, while Chardonnay produces buttery white wines.
It’s important to note that not all varieties are suitable for every kind of wine because they each have distinct flavor profiles when fermented into alcohol.
Varieties with good acidity levels should be used for producing sparkling wines such as champagne; those at the higher end of the sweetness scale should be used for sweet wines.
How to Store Grapes?
Grapes are one of the most popular fruits in grocery stores.
They are in season during the summer and have a relatively long shelf life.
There are many different ways to store grapes, but they must go into cold storage as soon as possible if you want them to last.
Place individual grapes in a container with holes to allow air circulation, then cover the top of the container with plastic wrap or tin foil and place it into your refrigerator.
It’s best to put them in the crisper drawer, where they will stay at the optimum temperature.
Covering them with a damp towel or paper towels can also help to keep them cool and fresh, but be sure not to let any moisture get into the container as this could spoil your grapes too quickly.
If you are only going to eat a handful of grapes right away, rinse them before eating.
But for the sake of making sure more of your purchase stays fresh so that you can enjoy it later in its newest form, don’t wash the entire bag.
Rinse just what you plan to eat right away and leave the rest be (since humidity does best in grapes).
How Long Do Grapes Last?
Grapes are generally best if they are consumed within a week or so of being purchased.
Deterioration is quick in grapes, often because it’s difficult to keep them cool enough when storing them at room temperature for too long.
The cooler you can store the grapes, the longer they’ll last.
Again, try not to let them sit at room temp for more than three days without refrigerating, as this will further shorten their shelf life and increase the risk that mold grows on the fruit.
Heat speeds up decay rates, and molds grow even faster, which is why it’s so important to keep grapes refrigerated if you won’t be eating them in the next few days.
Put grapes in the air-tight container they came in or stored them in a sealed plastic bag.
Alternatively, if you don’t have the original container, they may be stored in zip-lock bags.
If grapes are refrigerated after harvest but before being brought to market, their shelf life can last for up to 10 days.
How to Tell if Grapes are Bad?
So you have some grapes, and you don’t know if they are good or bad? Well, here are some signs to help you figure it out.
If the grapes are hard, then they’re good to eat.
Hard and unripe grapes will feel like a berry instead of a grape.
Ripe ones may still be firm but should have some give if squeezed gently.
If the grapes are soft or squishy, this indicates that something isn’t right with them, and they may not be safe to eat.
Mold usually starts at the stem end before going up onto the fruit itself, so when inspecting your bunch, take note of which part looks suspicious.
A moldy spot will look wet in addition to having fuzzy greenish/black growths on it, while the spot is also softer to the touch.
If the grapes give you a sour taste in your mouth, they are not good to eat.
While grapes can be harvested at different times and still be fresh and delicious, this is usually the first sign that you’ll notice if something has gone wrong with them.
If there’s a rotten smell coming from the grapes, trust your nose.
The scent of ripeness is slightly sweet and a little bit tart, but if the grapes have gone bad, they will be noticeably sour or funky smelling.
Keep these tips in mind when you are looking to buy grapes and if the bunch looks good, then feel free to eat them.
What Happens if You Eat Bad Grapes?
The first symptom of eating a bad grape can be stomach aches.
Bacteria often cause these symptoms that the grapes picked up from being handled with bare hands or not washed properly.
The next symptoms are vomiting and nausea.
The vomit will be a dark green or black color, the same as the grapes were when they were eaten.
A fever can also set in after 12 hours of eating bad grapes.
The food will not have any nutrients left in it, and the body will try to expel anything bad.
The stomach muscles can be severely strained or torn due to vomiting.
It could take up to three days before all symptoms go away.
If these symptoms persist for longer than this, it may be time for a visit to the doctor’s office or hospital emergency room.
If you become dehydrated from excessive vomiting after eating grapes with bacteria on them, get medical attention as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Grapes are a fantastic snack choice when it comes to snacking for kids and adults alike.
They’re not only tasty, but they also provide important nutrients that make them great at keeping your body healthy.
They’ll satisfy any cravings you may have while keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
They also last a long time in the fridge, so you can enjoy them later when you have the time.
How Long Do Grapes Last? Do Grapes Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Grapes
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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