Fresh fruit usually doesn’t have a long shelf life, but it depends on the type of the fruit and on how it is stored. This article is about grapes that are favorite fruit of many people. Grapes are a very popular fruit because they have a sweet taste and they are easy to prepare. But, have you ever wondered if grapes can go bad and how long they can last.
In this article we will tell you something more about this fruit and its shelf life. You will also learn how to store grapes properly and how to tell if grapes have gone bad. If you love grapes, this article will be very interesting and useful for you.
More about Grapes
Grape is a fruiting berry that belongs to the botanical genus Vitis. Grapes are low in fat but they are high in sugar.
Also, grapes contain large amounts of vitamins C and K and they can improve people’s health. Studies have shown that grapes can reduce the risk of heart diseases, diabetes and even cancer. It is also proved that regular consumption of grapes can reduce the risk of obesity, so you should include grapes into your diet if you want to lose weight. Grapes can be eaten raw, but you can also use them for making jam, jelly, juice, wine, vinegar or grape seed oil. When you are buying grapes, you should choose the ones that appear smooth and plump.
Also, it is important that grapes don’t separate easily from the stems. Below you will see what is the shelf life of grapes and how they should be stored.
What is The Shelf Life of Grapes?
Like other fresh fruits, grapes usually don’t have a best before date or a use by date. It means that you will have to use the date when the grapes were purchased. The shelf life of grapes depends mostly on when they were picked and how you store them.
The shelf life of unwashed grapes that are stored in the fridge is about two to three weeks. But, when the grapes are rinsed, they can last only a week. Frozen grapes can last much longer and they won’t change in flavor or texture.
How To Store Grapes Properly?
Proper storage is very important if you want to extend the shelf life of grapes. It is best to store grapes in the fridge. Place them in a resealable plastic bag and put the bag toward the back of the refrigerator.
Also, you can place grapes into airtight containers in the fridge. It is very important that grapes are away from moisture, so don’t rinse them before storing. You should rinse them just before eating. Never forget to rinse the grapes because they may be high in pesticide residue.
If you want to store grapes for a long run you should freeze them. First rinse the grapes and when they are completely dry place them on a cookie sheet. Put the sheet into the freezer and then transfer the grapes into freezer safe bags and refreeze them. Frozen grapes can be a great healthy snack.
How To Tell if Grapes Have Gone Bad?
The most reliable instruments that will tell you if the grapes have gone bad are your own senses.
Actually, if the grapes are rancid, you will notice that they have changed in texture and that they have become too soft. Also, it is possible that grapes change in color. They will probably turn brown and they will start to smell like vinegar.
Also, it is possible that mold starts to appear and this is an obvious sign that your grapes have gone bad. If you notice any of these changes, you should throw away the grapes. Remember that spoiled foods can cause many health problems.
Summary
As you should know by now, grapes have many health benefits and most people love this fruit. When grapes are fresh they are very tasty and full of nutrients. You should be careful and discard grapes as soon as they go bad. You will be able to tell if grapes have gone bad because they will change in texture, color and flavor.
