Pages

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Is it a grape?




The other day while I was in the grocery store, I spied a clear plastic container of what appeared to be teeny tiny grapes. Of course I just had to have them. 

It’s no secret that I don’t have much of a green thumb and it seems that every time I plant a vegetable or fruit they always grow stunted.  Once I actually harvested a fully ripe Barbie sized cantaloupe—a one-bite wonder.  But putting all my agricultural failures aside, what were these amazing wee grapes?  Were these grapes some happy accident?  Were they the result of someone’s poor abilities in farming? 

These little jewels of fruit sometimes called champagne grapes (another advertising moniker) are actually Black Corinth grapes.  Have you ever had any baked goods with currants in them?  If so you have tasted Black Corinth grapes. (Gee, I never knew what a currant was) Yes, the dried miniscule raisins called currants are actually an ancient Greek variety of grape.  In their natural state they don’t produce fruit any larger than pinheads and take a lot of finagling to encourage them to an edible size. They must girdle them and shoot them full of hormones.  Sounds like someone whose going through menopause, don’t you think?

All I know is Black Corinth grapes are yummy!  So if you see some in our local grocery store you better pick them up.

7 comments:

  1. I've never had Black Corinth grapes and am not sure if I've ever had currants in anything. I'll look for them next time I go shopping.
    I have some huge tomato plants with tiny little misshapen fruits that are still green and it's the end of August. It seems I can grow leaves just fine but the fruit and veggie thing is something I can't seem to master. Enjoy your weekend my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't think I've ever had currents, either. Definitely learned something today. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love these little grapes, we get them a lot here. Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Crystal, I am laughing my head off! I would have love to see your one bite wonder cantaloupe! LOL! And, I love your comment about menopause! LOL! You should really write a joke book! I will look for these grapes! Thanks ;o) Have a great one!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've never noticed these, good to know they are yummy. Well at least you planted a cantaloupe, I never have!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Really surprised that anyone could have avoided eating currants - they seem to be everywhere and in everything here! (Just made a pasta, pineapple and currant salad last weekend when my family visited)

    But I haven't seen the miniature grapes. I'll be looking out for them!

    You're not alone in raising a barbie sized melon - I did that once myself. But I bet your one-bite tasted delicious - all the goodness and flavour in a singe bite. That takes some beating. Love your sense of humour too :) Always brightens my day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. They look yummy! And I like the color.

    ReplyDelete

As always thanks for you comments!