Muscadine grapes are just coming in season. If you live outside of the Southeast United States, you may never have had a fresh muscadine.
A Bowl of Muscadines
Although they apparently grow in the wild throughout a wider area, they are only grown commercially in the southeastern United States.They thrive in the heat and humidity of the summers and a relatively mild winters of the region.
They are a large, thick-skinned grape that is usually eaten by consuming the pulp and juice while leaving the seeds and skin behind. They are also made into jelly, cider, syrup, and wine.
An Average Size Muscadine
There are many cultivated varieties that range in color from bronze to black. On the other hand, most of the wild varieties remain green through maturity.
According to the North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association, they are 40 times better for you than any other grape. They are widely known to be very high in antioxidants including resveratrol.
So, when and where are they available? Well, their growing season is relatively short, only the end of August through October. However, you can buy them in grocery stores in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama,North Carolina and South Carolina for sure. They may be available in other states.
You can also pick your own at several farms/wineries throughout the region.
What could be better? They are sweet, yummy, and good for you!