Grapes are one of the most beloved fruits in America. They can be found in almost any grocery store and come in countless varieties people crave! Grapes are also a versatile fruit, being the main ingredient in things like wine, raisins, trail mix, fruit mixes, and more! Grapes are also a unique fruit with a thin skin, making it hard to judge when they are going bad.
One important thing to note is that grapes of different varieties will have different shelf lives. For instance, some grapes may be genetically bred to last longer. In general though, most grapes will last around 2-4 days if kept on the countertop and 5-10 days if kept in the fridge. In other words, if you want to prolong the life of your fresh grapes, you should keep them in the fridge.
Are you interested in why your grapes are going bad fast? Keep reading to learn more about what makes your grapes bad and how you can keep them fresh for longer!
What Type Of Fruit Are Grapes?
Interestingly enough, grapes are actually considered to be berries botanically. This is because they have an outer fruit wall with an inner fleshy inside (or pericarp). True berries have a decently long shelf-life compared to other fruit due to their outer fruit wall.
Although they have some built-in durability, grapes do go bad within days, and there are a few storage techniques you can try to prolong their shelf-life.
How To Tell If Your Grapes Went Bad
Due to their outer wall, it can honestly be difficult to tell if your grapes went bad. First of all, grapes should have a plump and firm outer wall, so if your grape is extra squishy or soft, it could be bad.
Additionally, when grapes start to go bad, they can start to smell like wine or vinegar due to their fermentation process.
One last way to tell if grapes are bad has to do with their skin. When grapes are truly too ripe, their skin may start to wrinkle, discolor, or even start falling off.
How Can You Store Grapes To Last Longer?
Now that you know how long grapes can last and some of the signs that show they are bad, we can now discuss some techniques you can use to make them last longer. First of all, most grapes come from the store in a plastic bag or ventilated carton, which are great storage methods. In general, having lots of ventilation and airflow are great for keeping grapes fresh.
As mentioned, grapes keep better in the refrigerator as compared to on the counter. You can try to keep your grapes in an airtight container as well, as long as they are well dried.
In general, it is best to try to keep your grapes as dry as possible, but there is one technique that uses water. If you need your grapes to last for a very long time, you can try to store them fully submerged in water so that there is no oxygen touching them.
How To Store Grapes When They Are Starting To Go Bad
Let’s be honest, we have all had some grapes go bad in our fridge or on the counter. This can honestly be one of the worst feelings ever, especially since fresh fruit is so expensive.
Aside from the techniques discussed above, one of the best ways you can store grapes is by freezing them. To freeze grapes, you can freeze them separately on a cookie sheet and then place them into a container when they are solid.
Frozen grapes are a great snack on their own, but they can also be added to things like shakes! Many people are hesitant about freezing fruit, as they are not sure how long it will last. According to most sources, when frozen correctly, grapes can last for a period of months!
Should Grapes Be Kept On The Vine?
If possible, it is best to keep grapes stored while attached to the vine. If you are purchasing them in stores, vine grapes are the best, as they can hold onto more water, and they have no opening for air to enter the fruit.
In comparison, if your grapes are removed from the vine, the connection spot allows for air to enter the fruit, which increases the chances of it going bad sooner!
Is It Safe To Eat Wrinkled Grapes?
Although your fruit may not be fully rotten, you may have a grape or two that are slightly wrinkled or discolored. In truth, these grapes are most likely still good. However, it is a sign that they are starting to go bad. If these grapes aren’t too discolored to be damaged, they are technically still edible.
On the other hand, if your grapes are severely wrinkled, damaged, or discolored, most sources recommend composting and getting rid of them, as they could be carrying harmful bacteria and germs.
Summary
In the end, grapes are a pretty tricky fruit when it comes to storage. It often seems like people all have different methods they swear by for keeping grapes good.
In general, grapes last the longest when kept in the fridge in an airtight or ventilated container. Most sources say that grapes will last around 2-4 days on the counter and 5-10 days in the fridge.
Don’t worry though, if your grapes are starting to look a little worse for their wear, you can always freeze them for a sweet snack later on!
