Grapes Facts

Learn fun grapes facts, how grapes grow, what to look for when buying them, how to store them, and easy ways to use them in recipes. This page includes grape recipe ideas, a comparison of grapes and raisins, and cooking videos.

Fun Grape Facts

Grapes grow in clusters on vines.
They are usually harvested from July through September.
Grapes come in different colors like green, red, and purple.
Grapes can be eaten fresh, dried into raisins, or made into juice.
They are a great snack and can also be used in salads and desserts.

How Grapes Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Grapes Are Available

Grapes are commonly grown from July through September.

How Grapes Grow

Grapes grow on vines in clusters.

What to Look for When Buying Grapes

Buy grapes that are firm and a good color for their variety. Avoid grapes that are soft or browned.

Storage Tips

Store grapes unwashed in the refrigerator. Wash them when ready to use or eat.

Kid Tip: Grapes are one of the easiest fruits to pack in lunches or serve as a quick snack.

How to Cook with Grapes

How to Use Grapes

Wash grapes right before eating or using them in a recipe.
Eat them fresh as a snack or slice them for recipes.
Add grapes to salads, desserts, sandwiches, or lunch ideas.
Freeze grapes for a cold and refreshing treat.

Cooking Tip: Grapes add sweetness and crunch to savory recipes like chicken or pork salad sandwiches.

Grapes vs. Raisins

Grapes are fresh fruit full of water and natural sweetness.

Raisins are grapes that have been dried. They are smaller, chewier, and taste sweeter because the water has been removed.

Both grapes and raisins can be used in snacks and recipes, but they have different textures and flavors.

How Raisins Are Made

Raisins are made by drying grapes. As the grapes dry, much of their water leaves, so the fruit shrinks and becomes wrinkled. The natural sugars stay in the fruit, which is why raisins taste sweeter and more concentrated than fresh grapes.

This is a good example of how foods change when water is removed.

Mini Activity

Fresh vs. Frozen vs. Raisins

Taste a fresh grape.
Taste a frozen grape.
Taste a raisin.
Talk about which one is juiciest, sweetest, or chewiest.

This is a fun way to compare how grapes change when they are frozen or dried.

Grapes Nutrition Facts

Grapes are full of vitamin K and vitamin C. They also contain fiber, iron, and calcium.

Grapes contain vitamin K.
They contain vitamin C.
They have fiber.
They also contain iron and calcium.

More Food Fact Resources

Grape Recipes

Pork Salad Croissant Sandwich

This sandwich filling combines pork, apple, grapes, and mayonnaise for a sweet and savory lunch idea.

Category: Sandwich
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: No cooking
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups diced cooked pork
1 medium tart apple, diced
1/2 cup halved red grapes
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Slivered almonds, as many as desired
Salt and pepper
Croissants

Instructions

Combine the pork, apple, grapes, mayonnaise, almonds, salt, and pepper together.
Serve the mixture in croissants.

Grape and Nut Dessert

This creamy grape dessert is easy to stir together and makes a fun snack or lunch box side.

Category: Dessert
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: No cooking
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

4 oz cream cheese, softened
4 oz sour cream
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 pounds grapes
2 tablespoons pecans, chopped or whole

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, sour cream, vinegar, vanilla, and brown sugar together.
Toss in grapes and nuts and stir gently to coat.
Serve right away or chill before serving.

Lunch Box Idea: Add a small container of this dessert to your kids’ lunch boxes.