What drying changes
Drying removes water from the grape and concentrates the sugar. That is why dry grapes are smaller and chewier, with the sugar concentrated, and why they keep far longer.
Fresh grapes still hold their water. They soften, shrivel and spoil quickly if handled badly.
Panneer grapes, fresh
Panneer thiratchai is the local name for Muscat Hamburg in the Cumbum valley of Theni district. The berries are medium to large, with dark skin covered by a waxy bloom. They hold a few small seeds.
The flavour is described as sweet, musky and floral. The whitish bloom is natural and not a coating you need to worry about.
Why booking ahead makes sense
Unlike many Indian grape regions, where picking is limited to January to April, Cumbum is reported to harvest through the year. Peak harvest is said to be June to July and January to February, with about five harvests in two years.
Fresh grapes do not ripen further after picking. So the fruit should be cut when it is ready, and quickly sent. Advance booking lets the grower plan the cutting date and quantity for you.
What to ask when you book
- Expected harvest or cutting date, and the delivery date.
- Quantity in kilograms, and the pack size.
- How the grapes are packed for travel.
- How long the courier takes to reach you.
- What happens if the fruit is damaged on the way.
- Advance amount and the balance payment terms.
When the box arrives
Open it the same day. Take out any crushed or mouldy berries so they do not spoil the rest.
Brown, dry stems are a sign of water loss. Research shows that losing only 2 to 3 per cent of water is enough to brown the stem. So a dry, brown stem tells you the bunch has been losing water.
How to store fresh grapes
- Keep them unwashed in the fridge. In a ventilated container they stay fresh for about one to two weeks.
- Wash only just before eating.
- In one home test, grapes left in their original pack in the crisper drawer lost about 12 per cent to spoilage. Grapes washed and dried, then kept in a ventilated container, lost about 10 per cent.
- A sealed plastic bag built up condensation, and about a fifth of the grapes turned soft.
- Freezing kept grapes from spoiling but changed the flavour and texture once thawed.
Cold storage for commercial grapes is held close to 0 degrees Celsius with high humidity. A home fridge is warmer, so use the fruit quickly.
Fresh or dry: which to pick
Choose fresh for eating out of hand within a week. Choose dry when you want to cook with them, stock up, or send as a gift.
MM Rooted Ventures takes advance bookings for fresh grapes and also sells seeded dry grapes made from Panneer grapes.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash fresh grapes before storing?
Keeping them unwashed in a ventilated container in the fridge is the usual advice. Wash just before eating.
Do grapes ripen after they are picked?
No. Table grapes do not ripen further after harvest, so they are picked when ready.
How long do fresh grapes last?
Unwashed in a ventilated container in the fridge, about one to two weeks, depending on condition when they arrive.