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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Tear Drops® grapes are large in size and are elongated in shape, resembling a small chile pepper. They grow in tightly compacted clusters that can become quite heavy due to grapes’ long size. The thin and tender skin is light red to maroon with green tinges, while the translucent inner flesh is juicy and seedless. Tear Drops® grapes are low in tannins and acidity and have a very sweet flavor with an overall classic grapey taste that is reminiscent of plums. The long grapes are known for their crisp texture and have a snap-like feel when they are bit in half.
Seasons/Availability
Tear Drops® grapes are available in the summer.
Current Facts
Tear Drops® grapes are a hybrid seedless table grape prized for their unique shape and concentrated sweet fruity flavor. They were created by The Grapery® in Bakersfield, CA by process of hybridization, using hand pollination and selective breeding. After years of experimentation, the Tear Drops® variety was released without any use of additives or GMO’s, and they were one of The Grapery’s® earliest varieties. Tear Drops® grapes are difficult to grow and are highly susceptible to shattering, which is when the grape detaches from the stem and shortens the shelf life. Despite their short season, they are beloved as a crisp, flavorful table grape.
Nutritional Value
Tear Drops® grapes are a good source of antioxidants, flavonoids, and vitamins A, C, and K.
Applications
Tear Drops® grapes were grown to be table grapes, consumed fresh, out-of-hand. Their long tubular shape also lends them to more diverse culinary applications as they can be split in half and stuffed with a salty cheese to complement their sweet flavor. They can also be roasted with salt and lemon or blistered over high heat and paired with sautéed bitter greens or Brussel sprouts. Tear Drops® grapes pair well with almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts, pork, poultry, duck, rosemary, fennel, fennel seed, mint, endive, yogurt, blue cheese and goat cheese. They will keep for up to one week when stored in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Tear Drops® grapes have undergone several name changes and rebranding to promote sales. They were first known as Chili Pepper grapes because of their tapered shape, but consumers began to be confused as to whether or not they were spicy, especially since they were similar in size to the very hot Thai pepper. Then through a series of tests, the name Witch Fingers® was created in 2011 as a creative play on the finger-like shape, but many consumers felt uncomfortable eating something that had a human body part named in it. In response to the feedback that was given, in 2016 the name Tear Drops® grapes was created, and these grapes have now established themselves as a unique and flavorful table grape.
Geography/History
First grown in 2002, Tear Drops® grapes were developed through a breeding program with International Fruit Genetics and The Grapery® of Bakersfield, CA. These finger-shaped grapes are now grown exclusively in the San Joaquin Valley and are packaged for commercial markets nationwide. Tear Drops® grapes can be found at select markets across the United States.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Tear Drops® Grapes. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Gourmet Traveller |
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Smoked Duck Breast with Pickled Grapes |
