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How to choose the right grapes?
To choose delicious grapes for the table, it is enough to focus on three criteria: variety, ripeness and quality.
Grade
The best grapes are those grown as close as possible to where you live. This means that his path to the outlet was short-lived. Therefore, he did not need chemical treatment to withstand transportation. If the country of origin is not indicated on the price tag, be sure to ask the seller.
Popular grape varieties that can often be found in Russian markets or in stores:
- Kishmish grown in Crimea, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan. In addition, they can supply from Turkey.
- Toifu brought from Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Crimea.
- Cardinalmainly comes from Italy, Spain, Turkey or Greece. But it is also grown in Moldova or Ukraine.
- Red Globe – manufacturers of South Africa, Argentina.
- Arcadia, Kodryanka, Transfiguration – Ukrainian varieties.
Despite the fact that grapes are on the shelves all year round, it is best to buy them in season. In our climate, this is the end of summer – autumn. At this time, the grapes are the most natural and the cheapest.
Ripeness
- Shake the bunch lightly, if only a few berries fall off, then the grapes are ripe. If a large number of berries are crumbled, it means that the grapes have been stored for a long time.
- Black spots on the fruit are one of the signs of ripeness.
- Taste the grapes by picking the berries from the bottom of the brush. The top berries ripen much faster.
Quality
- Choose large, full bunches. If the grapes are sold in twigs, and even more so in bulk, this means that they have already been sorted out and discarded the spoiled branches, and what was left was put on sale.
- Berries should be firm, whole, with a dense skin, without dents, mold, rot.
- Take a close look at the berries that are closer to the branch. It is on them that signs of decay appear first.
- If the “tail” of the grape bunch has time to dry, it means that the grapes were picked a long time ago.
And a couple more tips for those who buy grapes in the market:
- Take bunches that are away from you. Usually, goods that need to be sold faster are laid out closer to the buyer.
- If wasps are hovering over the boxes with grapes, these boxes have excellent grapes.