Did you know that grapes provide you with a ton of health benefits? The delicious little fruits contain large amounts of antioxidants, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients. Studies have shown that grapes are beneficial for maintaining a healthy blood pressure as well as improving cognition and eyesight. After a couple of days, grapes can start to rot – but here are some great tips to keep your grapes fresh longer.
It all starts with choosing the right grapes
Keeping the grapes is just one part of the process, it’s equally as important to be able to identify and purchase fresh grapes. If you buy overripe grapes, chances are they won’t last longer than a couple of days. In other words, choose your grapes wisely.
First, take a closer look at the stems of the grapes. If the stems have a notable green color and seem to be attached firmly to the fruitage, you’re dealing with a fresh pack of grapes. Avoid grapes with brown and loose stems.
Speaking of colors, quickly check if there’s a difference in color shades between the grapes in the package. White grapes should have a rather green tint, while red grapes should be both vivid and dark in color. If some of the grapes show signs of brown spots, it’s best to avoid the complete package altogether.
It’s also worth checking if the grapes smell fresh and sweet. Overripe grapes are likely to have a smell similar to that of vinegar, due to the fermentation. It can’t hurt to quickly touch one of the grapes and check if it’s firm: rotten grapes are much more likely to break easily.
The best tips to keep them fresh
Now that you know the best practices for buying a fresh and tasty pack of grapes, it’s still equally as important to keep them fresh.
If you suddenly notice a couple of grapes that seem loose, rotten or have been infected by mold, it’s best to remove these grapes immediately as it will definitely affect neighboring grapes.
The most important thing is to store the package of grapes in the refrigerator as soon as you get home. The ideal temperature is somewhere between 30 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but the most important thing is that they’re not exposed to room temperature for a long period.
Don’t wash the grapes immediately, wait until you decide to eat a couple of grapes. Also, keep the grapes in an airtight box or plastic bag to keep them fresh longer.
It’s best to store the grapes at the back of the refrigerator because it’s often the chilliest spot. You’ll easily be able to keep grapes for a lengthy fourteen days in the back.
Avoid placing the grapes near foods that have a distinctive and strong smell such as onions and garlic. Grapes have the tendency to absorb different smells and placing them too close to certain foods can lead to a strange smell or taste.
Some packages of grapes are also quite large, and it definitely can’t hurt to cut a few grape clusters with some scissors. Smaller stacks will result in better paper writer air circulation, which in turn slows down the rotting.
If you want to keep grapes even longer, there’s no harm in freezing them for later use. Frozen grapes make a fantastic addition to smoothies or desserts.
And before you eat these delicious little fruits, don’t forget to wash them! It rinses the grapes and eliminates most bacteria.
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