When Are Grapes in Season?

If you’re on the hunt for grapes and wondering when they are in season, the Fetch Fam has the answers you seek. In the United States, peak grape season is August through October. Some varietals may be harvested in early summer or late fall, however. 

While grape sales tend to spike in spring (from March through April) and again in early fall (September through October), the price of grapes thankfully tends to remain fairly consistent year-round, so your grocery budget is secure! 

To start earning rewards on all your grocery purchases, download the Fetch shopping rewards app. You can start racking up reward points immediately and ultimately turn those points into free gift cards!

Get rewarded for healthy eating with Fetch Shop 

You’re already adding fresh produce to your grocery list each week, so why not get something in return for choosing to eat healthy? With Fetch Shop, you’ll earn points per dollar on the purchases you make at select stores when placing your order through the app, which means the more fruit and veggies you add to your list, the more rewards you’ll earn. Whether you’re scheduling a grocery pickup at Target using their Drive Up service or stocking up for a big get-together shopping online at Sam’s Club, you can turn your produce into Fetch points that can be redeemed for free gift cards when grocery shopping with Fetch Shop.

To earn rewards on fresh produce with Fetch Shop:

1. Download Fetch.
2. Open the app, and navigate to Fetch Shop; on your “Discover” (home) tab, you’ll find the Fetch Shop icon directly to the left of the camera icon at the bottom of your screen.
3. Once in Fetch Shop, scroll to the “Food & Drink” category, click where it says, “See all,” then find the grocery retailer of your choice, and select that store.
4. Tap “Go shopping!” and then simply grocery shop online as you would normally. And don’t forget to add those fruits and veggies to your cart to rack up even more points!

Are grapes berries?

Though they are small and snackable, and tend to be served and prepared differently from other berries, it’s not immediately clear to people if grapes are berries or some other fruit classification. Nevertheless, grapes are berries, juicy flesh, tiny seeds, and all! 

How to pick grapes at the grocery store

True of most produce, picking good grapes at the grocery store hinges on sight, smell, and touch. Good grapes will be attached to their stems, and plump and firm to the touch. Avoid wet, shriveled, or moldy grapes (of course), as those are obvious signs they are bad. 

How to tell if grapes are ripe

Ripe grapes will be plump and rich in color, and pull away from the stem easily. Green grapes should have a green-yellow hue. Red grapes should be predominantly red. Black grapes should have a deep, full color. Ripe grapes might have a powdery-white residue on them, which is “bloom,” a naturally occurring substance meant to protect them from moisture loss.

How to store grapes

How you store grapes will determine how long they last, and how enjoyable they will be. Fresh grapes should be stored whole, unwashed and in a well-ventilated container in a crisper drawer in the fridge. Ideally, grapes would be stored in the package they came in–dry and unwashed–and would last up to three weeks. Avoid storing them wet or with extra moisture, or putting them in an airtight container. 

Other storing alternatives include:

• Chopped or cut grapes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
• Washed and dried grapes can be stored for longer in a storage container in the freezer.

How to wash grapes

The easiest way to thoroughly clean the film off grapes of any kind, is to:

1. Fill a bowl with 2 tablespoons of sea salt, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and water to combine.
2. Place your grapes in the mixture and soak for 5 minutes
3. Drain water, and gently rub film off with your fingers.
4. Rinse under water, pat dry, and store or enjoy!

Can dogs eat grapes?

Unfortunately for our sweet puppers, there is no safe amount of raisins or grapes of any kind. Grape toxicity is linked to kidney damage, and even death. There’s no current research as to why, but there is absolutely no amount or type of grapes any breed or age of dog should eat.

Can cats eat grapes?

Similar to dogs, cats cannot safely eat grapes or raisins. Grapes also can cause kidney failure in cats, and even a small amount can cause vomiting and hyperactivity. Save these berries for the humans.

Try these delicious grape recipes

Take advantage of a long grape season, and try these fun recipes!

How to make candy grapes

Ingredients:

• 20-25 grapes, washed and dried
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• Gel food coloring of your choice
• 2 teaspoons flavored oil of your choice
• Sprinkles for decorating (optional)

Directions:

1. Insert a skewer into each grape and set aside.
2. Combine sugar, water and corn syrup in a saucepan.
3. Over medium/high heat, heat the mixture with a candy thermometer submerged (but not touching the bottom of the pot), until it reaches 300 degrees.
4. Remove the pot from the heat, and stir in coloring and flavoring of choice.
5. Dip each grape skewer in the mixture and spin to coat it fully, allowing excess to drip off.
6. Place coated grapes on parchment paper to dry for 15 minutes. Enjoy this recipe by Coco & Ash!

How to make grape jelly

Ingredients:

• 5 cups grape juice (about 3 1/2 pounds of ripe grapes)
• 1 box of pectin
• 7 cups sugar

Directions:

1. Add 5 cups of grape juice to a big pan. 
2. Add fruit pectin to the pan and mix well.
3. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
4. Add sugar at once, and bring back to a rolling boil.
5. Boil again for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
6. Skim off the foam, and pour into hot jars.
7. Seal with proper canning methods detailed here.

How to make grape juice

Ingredients:

• This easy recipe just requires fresh grapes!

Directions:

1. Put grapes in a heavy-bottomed pot and mash with a potato masher.
2. Cover, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Turn down heat and simmer for ten minutes.
4. Turn off heat completely and cool to room temperature.
5. Strain through cheesecloth over a bowl to catch the liquid, wringing to extract as much liquid as possible.
6. Transfer juice to a jar or glass bottle, and store in the fridge for up to a week!
   

And, after a long day in the kitchen, why not wind down with a glass of “adult grape juice” you don’t have to make yourself? Some of our recommended wine brands include:

• Stella Rosa
• Sutter Home
• Barefoot
• Clos du Bois
• Dark Horse
• Blackstone
• BEV
• And many more!

Keep up with Fetch for recipes and a whole lotta rewards

With the Fetch shopping app, you can earn rewards at all the places you love to shop. Use our handy app when putting together your grocery list, whether you are shopping for one or meal planning for a whole family, so you can bank the most reward points possible and start redeeming those points for free gift cards!