Vines of these colorful berries are wonderful snacks, but are grapes hard to digest? Do they go bad fast? How do you store them?
A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody vines of the flowering plant genus Vitis.
Grapes can be eaten fresh as table grapes or they can be used for making wine, jam, grape juice, jelly, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar, and grape seed oil.
Grapes come in different colors and forms!
- Red, green, and purple grapes.
- Seedless grapes, grape jelly, grape jam, and grape juice.
- Raisins, currants, and sultanas.
Plus, the nutrients in grapes offer a number of health benefits.
Are Grapes Hard To Digest?
Red and black grapes contain an antioxidant, called resveratrol, believed to prevent some cancers and viral infections, but they’re high in fructose. This natural sugar can cause gas.
Grapes also contain tannins and too many tannins can lead to an upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea. Switch out grapes for blueberries if this happens to you.
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) estimates 60 million to 70 million Americans suffer from digestive conditions. The most common digestive conditions (abdominal pain, bloating, and gas) can increase with the consumption of grapes.
Do Grapes Go Bad?
Yes, grapes go bad.
Grapes that are stored properly will usually stay fresh for about 7 to 14 days when kept in the refrigerator. However, they won’t last as long if they’re kept at room temperature.
You will be able to tell when your grapes are going bad when they become soft and mushy. The color will also deteriorate.
Don’t eat any grapes that appear to have mold or have an unusual smell.
A few tips for storing your grapes:
- Grapes should only be left out at room temperature if they’re going to be eaten before the day ends.
- Extend the shelf-life of your grapes by waiting to wash them.
- Discard any moldy or bruised grapes before refrigerating/freezing.
- Take off stems, wash grapes in cold water, pat dry, and place in a single layer cookie tray if you want to freeze the grapes. Then, once frozen, transfer to an airtight container.
- Grapes will remain at their best quality when frozen up to 10-12 months.
- Frozen grapes kept at a constant and consistent 0°F will remain safe indefinitely.
