How to Wash Grapes the Right Way

We’ve gone over how to wash fruit in the past on this blog but today we are getting extremely specific. We’re talking grapes. Grapes are considered a member of the “Dirty Dozen.” These are types of produce that have the highest concentration of pesticides in them. You can wash your grapes by using proper cleaning techniques with water or soaking them in vinegar and water.

How to wash grapes to keep them fresh longer

Grapes are by far one of the hardest fruits to wash thoroughly. They’re always coated with that white, waxy stuff that just doesn’t come off with a regular rinse (it's called the 'bloom' and you can read more about it below). For other fruits and vegetables, a simple rinse with water and vinegar is sufficient. If I sat down to rub and rinse every single grape on the vine, they would probably be rotten by the time I finished.

Did you know that there is a way to clean & store your grapes that will have a major affect on how fast they will turn? Come hither friends, in this post, you will learn how to wash your grapes. 

Do grapes need to be washed?

Grapes are so delicate that you don't want to accidentally squish them by cleaning too vigorously. If you've ever popped a nice looking grape in your mouth only to be overwhelmed with the sour taste of the bloom, you'll know why I'm taking the time today to teach you about his riveting, edge-of-your-seat topic.

In general, you should always rinse fruit/vegetables before eating them. Don't rinse them and then store them, because if you remove the white, waxy bloom, the exposure to moisture and air tends to make them rot faster. Wash once you're actually about to eat them, to get rid of any dirt, crop treatment chemicals, nasty wax taste, etc that might be stuck to them.

What is the white coating on grapes?

The white film, called “bloom,” is something that you see on a number of soft fruits and protects the grape from things like moisture loss and decay. Produced by the grape itself, the bloom is mostly made of a waxy substance called oleanolic acid.

Can I eat unwashed grapes?

Of course you can. Should you? That's depends on how concerned you are with pesticides, and potential bacteria on your grapes. Fruit can carry harmful pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria — and washing the surface is no guarantee that you won't get sick because the toxins may be lurking inside your produce!

Should I refrigerate grapes?

Yes. Place the grapes in the fridge immediately after you get them home from the grocery store. Check for moldy or bruised grapes first, and discard those immediately. Don't wash them until you are ready to eat them. This will keep them nice and crisp.Properly stored, grapes will usually keep for about 7 to 14 days in the fridge.

Can I freeze grapes?

Yes! Frozen grapes make a delicious snack and can even be used in lieu of ice cubes to chill a glass of wine. Wash them accoding to the instructions below and then after then are completely dry you can freeze them.

How to wash grapes the right way

The most important step is getting your grapes in the refrigerator immediately upon arriving home from grocery shopping. Grapes will stay freshest when stored at temperatures between 32 and 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

I would recommend eating them within 72 hours of cleaning them. Again, once clean and de-stemmed they turn rather quickly.

Now it is your turn to enjoy longer-lasting fresh grapes!