Grapes (genus Vitis) belong to the family Vitaceae. They are classified as a berry and can be found in different colors ranging from green, yellow, to red, purple, and black. The color of the fruit, however, depends upon its variety. Surely, there is a diverse range of varieties of grapes. In this post, I will describe few popular types of grapes.
The different varieties of grapes are classified into different groups based on their different features. For instance; white grapes and red grapes, seeded grapes and seedless grapes, table grapes, and wine grapes. All these varieties have been used for different purposes all over the world. They are consumed as raw table fruit, used in jams, jellies, juices, and winemaking.
Types of grapes:
Following are the 18 popular types of grapes in the world:
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Cotton Candy
Cotton candy grapes are one of the popular types of grapes from California. They are green and round-shaped grapes. Also, they are intensely sweet because of their high sugar content. The reason why they are called cotton candy grapes is that these grapes taste like sugar confectionery cotton candy. They are also rich in nutrients. However, these grapes should be consumed moderately because they are packed with natural sugars.
Crimson Seedless
Crimson is slightly elongated seedless grapes. Due to their pleasing skin color, their physical appearance is very attractive. The sweet, crispy, greenish-white flesh covered by lovely pink color skin makes them a popular variety. Actually, these grapes contain a pigment called anthocyanins that is responsible for their pinkish-red color as well as provide numerous health benefits.
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3. Vitis Glenora
Vitis Glenora is a flavorful, seedless variety of grapes that are dark bluish-black in color. Glenora grapes are medium-sized and grow in large clusters. The fact that they are very popular is that they have an amazingly delicious flavor. Specifically, their sweet taste with spicy undertones makes it unique.
Concord
Concord is one of the widely used varieties of grapes. These bluish-purple grapes are used for different purposes. Generally, they are consumed as fresh table grapes. In addition, they are also used in several delicious grape products like jams, jellies, and juices, etc.
Kyoho
Resembling the concord grapes, Kyoho has a blackish-purple or almost black skin. Kyoho grapes are the largest in size among all the different types of grapes. They were first grown in Japan and are very popular in East Asia.
The name “Kyoho” is a Japanese word that means “giant-mountain grapes”. Kyoho grapes grow as big as the size of a plum. The weight of a single Kyoho grape can be up to 14 grams i.e. 0.5 ounces. They have very sweet, mildly acidic, and juicy flesh with large seeds inside them. Moreover, the skin of Kyoho grapes is rich in anthocyanins.
Moon Balls
Moon Balls are the sweetest among all varieties of table grapes. These hybrid grapes are round in shape, just like small balls, having green thick skin. However, they are only cultivated in South Africa and their production is very limited, which is why they are not available everywhere.
Moon Drops
One of the most amazing and unique types of grapes is moon drops. Their amazing shape, color, and crunchy texture make them stand out among other varieties. Elongated finger-like shape, deep purplish-black skin, and crunchy firm flesh are among the most striking features of this variety. They are sweet but their sugar content is low. Also, these tubular grapes are seedless.
Red Globe
Red globe grapes are red table grapes, widely used in Asia. They are large, seeded grapes with crispy, firm flesh. Due to their large size and delightful flavor, they are a good choice for snacking.
Flame Seedless
The famous table grapes, flame seedless are one the most delicious varieties. These attractive red grapes have an excellent flavor. Because of their amazing sweet flavor and seedless character, they are the second most popular type of grapes in America.
Flame seedless grapes are medium-sized grapes and they grow in large, open clusters. Although they are widely used as fresh table grapes, they are often used for making raisins (dried grapes) as well.
Sultana
Originated from Asia Minor, the Sultana or Sultanina is a white, seedless, table grape. It is a widely grown variety of grapes and has got different names in different countries. It is known as Thompson seedless in the United States, Lady de covertly in the UK, Sultanina in Persia, Izmir üzümü (the grape of Izmir) in Turkey, and Oval-fruited kishmish in Iran, Iraq, India, and Palestine. These seedless green grapes are mostly used for making raisins, the popular Sultana raisins. Another important property of these grapes is that they have been used to breed several different types of grapes.
Centennial
Centennial grapes are a variety of white grapes that grow in loose clusters. They appear as large, oval-shaped, yellowish-green grapes. Similarly, they are seedless and have fairly thin skin. These grapes are good for fresh consumption. However, they are also dried for making raisins.
Marquis
Another white grape variety enjoyed as a table grape, Marquis are large, seedless, round grapes. They have soft, green skin covering the juicy, seedless flesh. Commonly, they are used in making delicious grape products such as jams and jellies, etc.
Koshu
One of the most widely cultivated grapes in Japan, the Koshu variety of grapes is native to Japan’s Koshu valley. They are one of the most visually attractive types of grapes. The pale- purple or pink color of their skin is very appealing. These grapes are extensively utilized for making white wine as well as consumed as fresh table grapes.
Sweet Jubilee
One of the largest grape varieties, sweet jubilee is a seeded black grape. They have a captivating purple-black skin color that covers the sweet, firm, pale-green flesh of these grapes. Occasionally, they are used as an alternative to the red globe because they are harvested a little earlier than red globe grapes.
Valiant
Valiant is large, blue grapes that can grow in cold weather and harsh conditions. Their flavor resembles that of concord grapes, but they are a bit more sugary. Valiant grapes are good for fresh consumption and ideal for manufacturing juices, jellies, and jams.
Dominga
Dominga is a very nutritious variety of grapes. Research study suggests that the peel of the Dominga grape is specifically rich in polyphenol antioxidants (Flavan-3-ols). Thus, consuming unpeeled Dominga grapes can provide numerous health benefits.
Besides, they are very sweet and luscious. Although, Dominga is a seeded variety, there are very few seeds compared to other seeded types of grapes.
Autumn Royal
Autumn Royal is a popular seedless table grape variety from California. They are larger than most of the seedless varieties available. Each berry of Autumn Royal weighs almost 8 grams. The natural large size of this type of grapes makes it the favorite variety of many people. In fact, they are among the top best-selling California-grown grapes in the US.
They can be identified by their ovoid shape, rich sweet taste, firm crunchy texture, and purple-black skin.
Champagne
Finally, yet importantly, Champagne or Zante Currant or Black Corinth grapes are one of the smallest varieties of grapes that grow in clusters. They are about the size of a pea and dark red or black in color.
The name of this grape variety should not be confused with the varieties of grapes that are used in making sparkling wine “champagne”. In fact, they are commonly used in desserts and garnishing due to their very small size. Also, they are dried to make the popular currant (raisins).
Champagne grapes are only known in the US by this name. They are known as Black Corinth or Zante Currant in the rest of the world. The reason why they are called champagne is because of a photoshoot of grapes for a magazine in which this variety was shown alongside a flute of champagne.
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Conclusion:
In a nutshell, there are several different types of grapes. Each type is popular because of its own significant features. In fact, each variety has its unique flavor, color, texture, and size. Based on the variety and their special features, grapes can be consumed as fresh fruit or used in different grape products such as raisins, sultanas, currants, juices, desserts’ toping, jellies, and jams, etc.
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