BY
IFY MGBEMENA
Grapes are small, round, and typically purple or green fruits that grow in clusters on vines. They are not only a popular and delicious fruit but are also used to make various products like wine, raisins, and grape juice. Grapes are known for their sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
Grapes have a long history and can be traced back to ancient civilizations. They are believed to have originated in the region of the Middle East and have been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, grapes are grown in many parts of the world, with major producing countries including Italy, France, the United States, and Spain. Their versatility and popularity have made them a significant fruit globally.
Grapes come in various colors, including red, black, purple, green, and even golden. They have a thin skin and contain seeds, although seedless varieties are also common. The flesh is juicy and sweet, making grapes a favorite for snacking, desserts, and wine production.
Here are some fun facts about grapes.
• Grapes are one of the oldest cultivated fruits, with a history dating back thousands of years.
• Spanish explorers introduced the fruit to America about 300 years ago.
• There are more than 8,000 grape varieties from about 60 species. The main types are American and European.
• Grapes are a kind of berry. They have a leathery covering and a fleshy inside, similar to blueberries.
• Grapes come in many colors, including green, red, black, yellow, pink, and purple. “White” grapes are actually green.
• Grapes are used to make various products, including wine, raisins, grape juice, and even grape seed oil.
• One cup of grapes, with about 100 calories, provides more than a quarter of the daily recommended values of vitamins K and C. Grape seeds, which are edible, are chock-full of antioxidants.
• The skin of grapes contains antioxidants, including resveratrol, which have numerous health benefits.
• Grapes are used as a symbol of abundance, fertility, and prosperity in various cultures.
• It takes about 2.5 pounds of grapes to make one bottle of wine.
• The process of making wine from grapes is called vinification, and it involves fermentation of the grape juice by yeast.
• The world’s largest grape cluster weighed over 22 kilograms and was grown in Japan in 2008.
• These plump blue grapes get their name from Concord, MA, where they were developed. They have a distinctive taste and can survive colder climates.
• The practice of drying grapes to make raisins dates back to ancient times, and it was an early form of food preservation.
• Grape leaves are used in many culinary dishes, such as dolmas, a Middle Eastern dish.
• Seedless grapes are a result of selective breeding, and they are popular for snacking and in salads.
