All about...#37 - Grapes

Brought to you by MrBLOGGER and cathlete 

Grapes can be used for a variety of products, from their liquid form to their dried form, or even just as they are. The two main uses of grapes are for those that are eaten raw and wine. However, different cultivars (often of the same species) are used for each of these purposes. Wine grapes have thick skins which increase the desired taste and aroma of wines, while raw-eaten grapes tend to have very thin skins and no seeds, which makes them easier to consume.

There are also sugary and artificial types of grape products that are becoming popular as the modern world goes on to the 21st century. Lots of people have been enjoying grape popsicles and grape-flavored juices and drinks.

Most dried-grape products, such as raisins or currants, also use seedless grapes. As time goes by, raisins turn smaller and have a somewhat pruney pattern. Other fruit preserve products, such as jam and jelly, use similar grapes as wine, such as concord grapes. This is because the concord variety has a more "fruity" taste. It is for this same reason that non-alcoholic grape juice will often also come from concord grapes.

The Middle East, specifically Mesopotamia, was the first place where grapes were grown. This dates back to around 4,000 - 6,000 BCE. However, it was not until around 3800 BCE when wineries started appearing around the area, with its first location in Armenia. The industry of grapes and wine soon spread throughout the region, popping up in places like Turkey and Iran. The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians all had a strong wine culture and cultivated it regularly. An important event of grapes occurred when the Vikings settled in Newfoundland, Canada, and named the area Vinland, after the grape vines they produced there. When the exploring age occurred, the Europeans brought wine to many regions of the world. Grapes and their products are a big part of life today.

Grapes are very sweet and healthy for you. Raw grapes contain 81% water, 18% carbohydrates, and 1% protein. They also have lots of Vitamin K; micro nutrients exist too.

Grapes can grow in most climate zone across the world, however most climate zones are not ideal for growing consumable grapes. You may notice wild grape vines growing in the weirdest places, though these plants cannot be harvested for juice, wine, or edible grapes.

When it comes to suitable areas to establish a vineyard, things such as soil, sunlight, water, and even wind make a world of difference. Countries in various parts of the world lead in grape production. Typically, the top wine-producing countries are also top grape-producing countries. The following countries produced the most grapes (in metric tons) in 2018: