Interesting Facts About GRAPES

With a unique combination of crunchy texture and sweet, tart flavor, grapes have gained extreme popularity throughout the world. Grape is the second most popular fruit after oranges. It can be eaten as a refreshing snack as well as used in vegetable and fruit salads. It can be consumed in fresh or preserved form. It can be canned in jellies, crushed to prepare juices or wines and dried to prepare raisins. Here are some interesting facts about Grapes :-

1. There are more than 60 species and 8000 varieties of grapes all over the world. Some common varieties of grapes are blue, black, green, red, golden, blue-black, white and purple.

2. Grapes consist of about 80% of water, which make them a low-calorie snack or dessert. Raisins or dried grapes consist of about 15% of water.

3. Grapes help minimize the risk of heart attacks because they increase the levels of nitric acid in the blood which prevents blood clots.

4. Grapes are used to help cure asthma indigestion, migraine, kidney disease and fatigue.

5. The production of grapes is more than 72 million tons all over the world. There are approximately 25 million acres of grapes throughout the world.

6. One grape vine can grow up to 15½ metres (50 feet long) and can have about 40 clusters of grapes; each grape cluster has an average of 75 grapes.

7. Eating too many grapes can give a laxative effect.

8. Grapes contain low levels of cholesterol, sodium and fat and are rich in vitamins K and C.

9. Grapes also have anticancer properties and antibacterial activity. Grapes also can prevent muscular degeneration and cataract, associated with aging.

10. Grapes play a significant role in preventing a number of health problems and hence can be used as one of the effective home remedies.

11. The Thompson Seedless is the best selling grape in the USA. Golden raisins are prepared from these types of grapes.

12. The main two types of grapes are European and American. They come in seedless and seeded varieties.

13. It takes about 2½ pounds (1.13 kg) of grapes to produce a bottle of wine !!!

14. Grapes contain flavonoids that give vibrant purple color to grapes, red wine and grape juice.

15. Fresh grapes can be stored in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days, when kept in a plastic bag or a covered container.