Bag a Bunch of Grapes this Summer!

Grape season launches in November with a tasty selection of red and white varieties

While the sun’s light and warmth can act as a natural mood lifter as we come into summer, so too can the prospect of getting stuck into little rays of sunshine in the form of new-season Australian table grapes, available from November onwards.

Nutritious white and red grapes in all their tasty varieties are on shelves right through until May 2008 and to make the most of them while they’re here, why not be adventurous and pick up a bunch of Flame Seedless or Red Globe with your regular bunch of white Menindee Seedless?

Grapes are a satisfying snack option, bolstered by a high fibre content and a collection of vitamins and minerals, including potassium, calcium, manganese and iron, which are essential for good health and energy.

Both white and red varieties boast antioxidants including polyphenols and resveratrol, which are fantastic weapons against the free radicals that can naturally build up in the body over time and lead to health problems.

Grapes are made up of 80 percent water, which means a ready supply will ensure you stay hydrated throughout the hot summer months. This trait, coupled with grapes’ natural sugars, such as fructose and sucrose, make them an ideal re-hydrator when playing sport or for busy people on the run.

Australian Table Grapes Association Chairman Nick Muraca believes that grapes offer great value compared with pre-packaged snacks, as well as a convenient way of meeting the Australian Government’s recommendation of two serves of fruit per day.

 “Grapes are a go-anywhere food, so they’re just as convenient a snack as processed goods – yet much healthier and less expensive because you’re not paying for the packaging,” Muraca said.

“If kept in ready supply in a big bowl in the fridge, they are likely to be the first thing family members will snack on when they’re feeling peckish and a selection of colourful varieties in the one bowl will make them even more tempting,” he added.

Nature’s little snack travels well, adding flavour to children’s lunchboxes as a snack on their own, or as part of a creative and tasty, fresh meal, such as ricotta cheese, honey and grape wraps (see accompanying recipe idea).

Grapes are also a good option for professionals to snack on during the day to help stave off the energy slump that can hit in the afternoon andprevent consumption of the excess kilojoules associated with some packaged foods.   

Right now, Menindee Seedless, Flame Seedless and Red Globe varieties are appearing on grocery shelves, with the equally tasty and nutritious Thompson and Crimson Seedless varieties set to follow from around January.

Grapes are ideal for snacking on at any time of the day, so grab a bunch today to boost your health and vitality!

10 Great Reasons to Eat More Grapes

1. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day
   
   
2. Boost your energy levels for greater vitality
   
   
3. Assist in cleansing and detoxing your system
   
   
4. Boost your levels of vitamin C to help maintain a strong immune system
   
   
5. Indulge in red grapes for the same beneficial antioxidants as red wine, without the alcohol
   
   
6. Bolster your levels of vitamin B6 – a vitamin which is vital in preventing anaemia
   
   
7. Get a dose of the antioxidant resveratrol which has been found to protect against inflammation, viruses, aging, heart disease and many forms of cancer
   
   
8. Treat yourself to grapes that are even more refreshing on sweltering days by eating them chilled straight from the freezer
   
   
9. Support Australian grape growers hailing from Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory
   
   
10. Keep a handy supply of grape varieties in the fridge throughout the season to prevent snacking on alternative fatty and processed foods

Nutritional Benefits of eating Grapes:

• Good Source of:
• Vitamin C
• Helping maintain a strong immune system.
• Vitamin B6
• Vital in preventing anaemia
• Contain:
• Potassium
• Copper
• Iron
• Phosphorus
• Thiamine
• Skins /seeds high in magnesium and dietary fibre
• Phytonutrients (similar to Resveratrol)
• Found to protect against inflammation, viruses, aging, heart disease and many forms of cancer
• Boosts energy levels
• Glucose and fructose = good sugars in grapes, providing a great natural source of energy
• Beneficial for cleansing and detoxing the system
• Keeps you hydrated throughout the day
• 100 gram serving of grapes contains about 65 calories and only 0.1g fat
• Contain no sodium or cholesterol, virtually no fat
• Red grapes specifically:
• same beneficial antioxidants as red wine, without the alcohol

Serving Suggestions

• Grapes are delicious eaten raw on their own as a snack - fresh or frozen
• Add to drinks, fruit salads, salads
• Add to crepes, cakes, tarts, sorbets, or set in jelly
• Cut and add into wraps, foccacia & sandwiches
• Delicious in hot dishes. Bake, sauté, microwave or simply heat in sauces
• Great served with meat and mixed with vegetables
• Freeze seedless grapes and add to summer drinks as ‘grape’ ice cubes
• Perfect with all cheeses
• Appeal to busy Mothers on the lookout for healthy and easy lunch box fillers

Keeping grapes in perfect condition:

• Place unwashed grapes in plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator
• Use scissors to separate small clusters
• Wash grapes under cold water just before serving
• Drain in colander or pat dry
• Grapes are at their best served slightly chilled to enhance their crisp texture and refreshing flavour

Varietal Information

• Fresh table grapes come in three basic colours – green (or white), red and blue/black – and are grown commercially in Australia. The five main domestic varieties are Menindee (green), Thompson (green), Crimson (red), Flame (red), and Red Globe (red). All major varieties except Red Globe are seedless.

Recipes & Suggestions:

Here we have provided some recipes and suggestion for you to try at home!

• Grape and Mint Iced Tea - Click here

• Grape Roll-Ups - Click here

• Grape Neck Lace and Grape Ice Blocks - Click here

For more Grape information please click here!