Grape

Enjoy more fruits and vegetables

Grow

Grapes are fruits which grow on woody vines. Generally, 

grapes are planted in rows. Space grape plants 6-8 feet 

apart. Use trellises to support the growth of the grape 

vines. For at least the first two years, keep an area 1-2 

feet in diameter at the base of the vine free of weeds by 

hoeing, hand cultivating or mulching. Grapes require 

considerable pruning and training. They can grow in 

almost any type of climate.1

Choose

Did you know grapes are not just green? They come in 

blue-black, red and green. Popular varieties of blue-black 

seedless include Autumn Royal, Fantasy and Marroo, 

green seedless include Perlette, Thompson and Superior, 

and red seedless include Flame and Ruby. Blue-black 

grapes should have a rich, dark color. Blue-blacks are 

harvested June-January, greens May-December and reds 

June-December. Greens should be green with yellow tint. 

Reds should be primarily red. Grapes should be plump, 

not wrinkled and firmly attached to a green, flexible stem. 

When grapes fall off the stem, they are overripe.3,5-6

Use

Grapes can be purchased fresh, frozen, or dried as raisins. 

Also, grapes are made into juice, jam, jelly and preserves. 

Do not wash grapes until ready to use. When ready to 

use, wash gently. Pat dry with a single use paper towel. 

Grapes freeze well. Lay them out in a single layer on a flat 

pan or baking sheet and place them in the freezer. Once 

frozen, put them in a freezer safe container or a plastic 

resealable bag. Grapes are a fun, quick snack. You can pair 

them with cheese and crackers. They also can be served 

as a side dish to a meal. Grapes can be sautéed, roasted, 

grilled or pickled. Grapes can be put on kabobs or added 

to salads with other fruit, vegetables, chicken or turkey, 

pasta or other grains. Be creative and enjoy!2-3,5-6

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 08/15

http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA

State Board of Education

Department of Public Instruction

Fun Fact: Vitis labrusca, V. aestiva and V. rotuntifolia are 

species of grapes native to North America. 

Fun Fact: The first grape varieties date back to 6000 B.C. 

Commercial grape production dates back to 1000 B.C.3

Fruit 

Two basic types of grapes, American and European, exist. 

Both are grown in the United States. American grapes can 

be called slip-skin because the skin easily separates from 

the inside flesh of the grape. American and European 

grapes can be seeded or seedless. Almost 99% of the 

commercially produced table grapes in the U.S. are grown 

in California. European wine grapes are mostly grown in 

California. Concord grapes are predominantly grown in 

Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and 

Ohio. Common grapes grown in North Carolina are wine, 

bunch or Muscadine. European (V. vinifera) grapes are 

the main variety used for making wine.1-4

Fun Fact: A bloom is not just a flower. Bloom is a white, 

powdery substance that naturally occurs on grapes. It 

protects grapes from losing moisture and decaying.3

Store

Store grapes in the refrigerator (32-36oF, 90-98% relative 

humidity). Grapes can keep up to 1-2 weeks when stored 

and handled properly. Stack or store to avoid squashing 

the grapes and also allow for air circulation. Store away 

from strong-smelling, ethylene-producing items such as 

broccoli, cabbage and onions. Before storing, discard any 

mushy or moldy grapes. Do not wash before storing.5,6 
Grape

Teach

Gold Rush or Grape Rush?

Prospectors rushed to California in the 1800s looking for 

gold. Kentucky native William Wolfskill found grapes and 

planted the first table grape vineyard in California. Now, 

over 800,000 acres across California are planted with 

vineyards.

Grapes have a place in history and culture. One of the 

most popular Chinese tongue twisters (chi putao bu tu 

putao pi) means “When you eat grapes, don’t spit out the 

skin”. Many health benefits are linked to the grape skin. It 

is a Spanish tradition to eat twelves grapes with each bell 

strike at midnight of January 1.3

Great Grapes

Class Activity

 Have students research the origin and history of grapes 

and their significance and use in different cultures. 

 Then, students can share the results of their research 

and their own experience with grapes. 

Fun Fact: Popular N.C. Muscadine cultivars are Carlos, 

Doreen, Magnolia, Nesbitt, Noble, Regale, and Triumph. 

All of these cultivars are perfectly flowered (having male 

and female parts) so a single vine will be fruitful.1

Enjoy more fruits and vegetables

Fruit 

Find

For more grape facts and resources, visit:

1. http://rubus.ces.ncsu.edu

2. http://concordgrape.org

3. www.grapesfromcalifornia.com

4. https://www.northcarolinamuscadine.org

5. www.fns.usda.gov

6. www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/grapes

7. http://ndb.nal.usda.gov

8. www.eatright.org

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 08/15

http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA

State Board of Education

Department of Public Instruction

Eat

Grapes are great!

A cup of fresh red or green grapes has about 104 calories, 

288 mg of potassium and 100 IU of vitamin A. They are 

free of cholesterol and low in fat and sodium. 

Potassium helps regulate fluid and mineral balance in the 

body, maintain normal blood pressure, transmit nerve 

signals and contract muscles. Vitamin A promotes normal 

vision, supports the growth and health of cells and tissue, 

protects us from infection, and helps regulate the 

immune system. 

Based on color, grapes offer a variety of phytochemicals—

flavonoids, phenols, carotenoids, etc. Phytochemicals act 

as antioxidants preventing and/or repairing cell damage. 

Anthocyanidins, a flavonoid sub-group, contribute to the 

blue, red and purple pigments of fruits. Anthocyanidins 

may help with maintaining brain and healthy immune 

function. The anthocyanidins along with quercetin and 

the ellagic acid in red grapes can help neutralize free 

radicals that may damage cells and boost antioxidant 

defenses in cells. Red grapes also contain resveratrol, 

which may help maintain heart health. The carotenoid 

lutein may help maintain healthy vision.2-3,5-8

Grapes of Math

Class Activity

Materials Needed:

 Different varieties (blue-black, green and red) of grapes 

washed and prepared for examination

 Small plastic resealable bag of washed grapes of each 

variety (blue-black, green and red) for each student

 Graph paper

Steps:

1. Have students examine the different varieties of 

grapes and write a paragraph description.

2. Distribute a sample bag of each variety of grape to 

every student. Ask students to sample each variety of 

grape and vote on their preferences. Graph the results.

3. Students can also write a poem or song about grapes. 

They can share it with the class.

Fun Fact: Three products came together during World 

War II to create the peanut butter and jelly sandwich—

pre-sliced bread, grape jelly and peanut butter.3