Organic “Candy” Grapes You Won’t Believe Exist
And how they were naturally achieved
We’re closing in on the summer, and for many people that means grape season!
I’ve always loved grapes, but I only knew them as dark, red and green. Recently, though, I’ve come across a wide variety of grapes, and the flavor, nutritional and agricultural facts are fascinating (did you know there’s a grape called Witch Finger?).
Are you in the dark just as I was a few weeks ago? Let’s find out!
The beauty of variety
We all crave variety, be it in our activities, in our entertainment preferences, our romantic interests, but one thing is for sure, we all love trying different kinds of food.
Luckily for all grape lovers out there, there is a huge catalog of different grapes, but I want to focus your attention onto these non-GMO marvels of selective breeding.
As you probably know, original fruits looked very differently from their modern counterparts, and one way our ancestors ensured they’d get the most bang for their effort was with selective breeding. Nowadays horticulturists still follow traditional methods, like cross-pollination, but with a scientific and modern twist… plants grown in a lab.
Cross-pollination and Dr. David Cain
If there’s a rockstar type of grape, it’s this adequately named berry: “Cotton Candy Grapes”. Seriously, when you try this kind you’ll be amazed with how much it resembles the taste of the state fair’s favorite sweet treat. It’s a natural designer take on the classic berry.
So how did these special grapes get their outstanding flavor?
Enter Cross-Pollination
This method consists of taking pollen from the stamen — male organ of a plant — of one flower to the stigma — female organ of a plant — of another flower, but of a different plant. The result is a plant that has characteristics of both varieties, of the same plant family.
Most plants are self-pollinating, but some have even adapted to stop self-pollination, either by arranging their reproductive organs apart from each other, or by maturing the organs at different times.
So how did this help us achieve fantastic human bred plants and fruits?
By mixing fruits to get the weirdest, delicious, completely organic treats!
How Grape Varieties Get Made
Special grapes, like the delicious Cotton Candy grape, got “discovered” with a huge amount of work, cross-pollinating grape plants over and over until you get just the right taste.
Dr. David Cain tested with approximately 100,000 tube plants, until he arrived at this delicious, sugary taste that reminds you of a summer fair.
He also says that the work can take from 6 to 15 years, but thinks it’s worth it as many fruits lose their taste long before they arrive at people’s homes.
And these Cotton Candy Grapes are completely natural and healthy, a half-cup only contains 14 grams of sugar!
3 types you should definitely check out
These are the varieties that I’ve personally tasted, and absolutely loved. The following photographs come from a collaboration with Fresh Farms and Molina Quality.
- Cotton Candy. These are the real deal, definitely the most surprising grapes I have ever tasted. I don’t expect you to believe me, just as I couldn’t believe it myself until I tried some. Just go out and get a bag and be part of this weird but cool following too!
2. Candy Snaps. These red grapes have a sweet, sweet taste with hints of strawberry! You can also feel just the right amount of astringency in your mouth, just like a strawberry. Definitely a cool snack for a hot summer afternoon.
3. Sweet Sapphire. This elongated variety is quirky but has a delicious taste and a super crisp sensation. I love biting on these funky, juicy grapes!
Now you know how these cool grape varieties get made. Do you have any favorites, or are you going to run down to the store and get some?
