Grapes - Gifts that keep giving…and giving…

Raisins, wine, juice and jelly- grapes can provide sustenance in various forms from childhood to adulthood! While there are thousands of grape varieties grown around the world for different purposes, most of the types you will see in a home garden in Portland are American grape varieties that adapt better to cooler climates. Compared to European grapes, American grapes can be characterized by their skin, which slips from the berry portion of the fruit more easily. American grape varieties include Concord (the classic jelly grape), Elvira (white wine grape), and Moore’s Diamond (snacking or table grape). 

Depending on the variety, grapes can be ready to pick anywhere from July to October. Grapes will not ripen after picking. Ripe grapes should be plump, firm, sweet, and juicy, which might not happen until a few weeks after they are fully colored. The best way to assess ripeness is with a taste!

How and when to Harvest

Depending on the variety, grapes can be ready to pick anywhere from July to late September. Grapes will not ripen after picking. Ripe grapes should be plump, firm, sweet, and juicy, which might not happen until a few weeks after they are fully colored. The best way to assess ripeness is with a taste!

One side note about harvesting and eating grapes: keep an eye on your pups! Grapes (in any form) can be fatal to dogs if ingested in any amount, so watch for those loose grapes on the ground and supervise any kiddos walking around with a cluster of grapes. Rather than picking them individually like you would with raspberries or blackberries, grapes are best picked by snipping off whole clusters with scissors. Place your clusters gently in a container to prevent bruising.

Using lots (and lots) of grapes

Fresh picked grapes are best eaten within a few days, but can last about a week if stored unwashed in the refrigerator in a breathable container. For longer storage, grapes can be dehydrated into raisins, or frozen for a delicious refreshing snack! You can also make a delightful fruit leather with them using a dehydrator or even.

When it comes to eating or cooking with grapes, it’s best to take both flavor and presence of seeds into account. Concord grapes, for example, have a very large seed and are unpleasant to eat on their own. However, their sugary sweetness makes them ideal for turning their strained juice into jelly! Red Flame grapes are slightly tart and seedless, so are pleasant to eat fresh on their own or in a salad. Grapes are also great in sorbet, paired with peanut butter in a crumble, and in this olive oil cake. 

Do you have extra and need help?

1. Talk to your neighbors! It’s a great way to meet them and you can share your abundance hyper locally!

2. Donate it through Portland Fruit Tree Project’s Fruit Fridge! Harvest and drop off at your convenience and we’ll get it all used up!

3. Can’t harvest it? Register for us to come harvest for you!
   
   

Take the next step with Portland Fruit Tree Project!

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