Facts About Grapes

Some of the most common ways we use grapes is to eat them fresh, preserve them in cans, dry them into raisins, and crush them for wine or juice.

Grape growing is the largest food industry in the world as there are more than 60 species and 8000 varieties of grapes. All of them can be used to make juice and wine.

The two main types of grapes in the world are American and European. They come in seeded and seedless varieties. American grapes are available in September and October every year although European grapes are available all year. The best selling grape in America is called the Thompson Seedless. Golden raisins are made from these type of grapes.

There are more than 72 million tons of grapes all together which means they are roughly 25 million acres of grapes in the world. It takes about 1.4kg of grapes (2½ pounds) to produce a single bottle of wine. One acre of grapes can produce an average of about 15,000 glasses of wine. So, use your maths skills (or a calculator) and times 25 million acres by 15000, and thats how many glasses of wine you would be able to get if you used up all the grapes in the world!

The average person eats eight pounds of grapes each year, although I wouldn't eat all that at once, eating too many grapes can give a laxative effect...

One grape vine can grow up to 15½ metres (50 feet long) and can have about 40 clusters of grapes; each grape cluster has an average of 75 grapes. Grapes are made up of 80% water, which make them a low calorie dessert or snack. Raisins (dried grapes) are made up of about 15% water.

Fresh grapes can be stored in the fridge for two to three days, when kept wrapped up in either a plastic bag or a covered container.

Grapes are extremely good for your health; they can help to cure problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, constipation, heart diseases, indigestion, kidney diseases and migraine. Eating grapes will also minimize the risk of having a heart attack.

Well so far this year, I've not touched a grape... although after realising the benefits it has, I might go to town and get some, or not.