How Long Do Grapes Last?

Grapes are a great snack. Just when you think you have enough in your refrigerator to eat during the week between meals, you discover those delicious berries that are soft, discoloured and moldy.

If you have just been gifted one of our beautiful fruit baskets and are concerned about how long the fresh grapes will last - this article will guide you through every possible scenario.

How long will grapes last? Grapes kept at room temperature will last for up to five days. It is recommended to keep grapes in the refrigerator for maximum freshness and shelf-life. Grapes that are stored in the refrigerator can be kept for up to 14 days.

In this article, we've provided everything you need to be aware of this healthy and delicious fruit's storage conditions and shelf time.

You'll learn ways to increase your grapes' shelf-life and what you can do if you have lots of grapes that you aren't sure what to do with them.

Can Grapes Go Bad?

Grapes are very perishable. They aren't as long-lasting as fruits like apples, pears and oranges. The reason that grapes deteriorate quickly is that they are extremely sensitive to heat and moisture.

Since grapes spoil quickly, we suggest buying smaller quantities of them to ensure that you don't end up wasting them. The most crucial step to ensure that your grapes will have the longest shelf-life is to select the best bunch.

Four elements to be looking for when purchasing grapes:

1. Grapes are supposed to be firm and plump.
2. They must be secured with the stem.
3. The overall colour of the grapes cluster must be uniform. If you are picking green grapes, you should look for a yellow hue. If you are looking for purple grapes, stay clear of green-hued grapes.
4. The stem is supposed to be green instead of brown and dry. Dried-out stems suggest that the grapes were harvested long ago, and will begin to rot in a matter of days once you take them home.

Don't be concerned if you spot an unnatural white layer of powder on your grapes; it's called flowering. This waxy, naturally occurring substance keeps the fruit safe from loss of moisture. It also serves as an effective barrier between fruits and insects.

Blooming can also be an indicator of freshness. If you notice excellent grapes with silver-white surfaces, you can take a few clusters or even two.

Apart from learning the art of picking the best grapes. It is equally important to understand the right conditions for the storage of these fruits.

If you don't preserve your grapes correctly, even the freshest grapes you can buy from the local store will go bad in a few days.

How to Store Grapes?

You can keep grapes on the counter at room temperatures in your pantry or the refrigerator, depending on how long you'd like to keep them. Whichever storage method you choose, there are two points to consider when storing them.

In the first place, you shouldn't wash the grapes in one go. Wash the grapes according to the amount you'll be eating. Do not wash the rest since letting water droplets get in between the grapes could cause them to spoil sooner.

The second is to keep the grapes in a well-ventilated state. The airflow is crucial to ensure the quality of the grapes.

Fruits purchased from supermarkets typically are packaged in plastic bags that have holes. 

Should You Store Grapes in the Fridge?

The ideal temperature for storing grapes is 1-0 degrees Celcius. This means that you should store grapes in the fridge.

The refrigerator's crisper drawer is where your grapes need to go as the humidity level of the drawer is ideal.

Don't put the grapes into a new box or container, but do check them for discoloured or mushy grapes, and then remove them.

How Do You Make Grapes Last Longer in the Fridge?

Here are some suggestions you can follow to ensure that your grapes are kept in the fridge in good condition.

1. Never Leave Bad Grapes on the Stem

Do not leave bad grapes together with your freshly picked grapes, regardless of whether they are kept in the refrigerator or pantry. Examine the grapes' clusters every two days and eliminate the ones that are not good.

It's more important than you realize. Eliminating rotten or mouldy grapes before they can impact the rest of the cluster will allow you to preserve their freshness for a longer period.

2. Store the Grapes in the Back of the Fridge

The idea of storing grapes on the refrigerator door is a mistake that you must avoid making. The temperature inside the door is higher compared to other areas within the fridge.

The drawer of the crisper is the ideal spot for keeping grapes. But, it's usually packed with other vegetables and fruits. Finding out the best place to keep your grapes is crucial.

3. Storage of Grapes Apart from Strong-Smelling Products

Grapes are known to absorb odours. In the fridge or the pantry, keep them away from foods with a distinct, strongly scented smell, such as the smell of cheese or garlic.

How to Store Grapes Without a Fridge?

If you don't enjoy cold grapes or don't have space in your refrigerator, you can keep the grapes at ambient temperature. If you do this it is important to ensure that the grapes are out of the direct light and heat sources.

Should You Leave Grapes on the Stem?

It is advised to leave clean grapes in the stem. Grapes that are securely stuck to the stem will retain their freshness longer.

But, if you'd like to wash and bottle your grapes before you refrigerate them, here is what you can do:

1. Place the grapes in a bowl filled with water.
2. Add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the water.
3. The grapes should be soaked in the solution for about 10 minutes. The vinegar kills mould spores that are on the grapes.
4. As the grapes are still soaking, remove them from their stems. This will stop the ripening process. 
5. Cleanse the grapes thoroughly with running cold water.
6. Place them on an absorbent paper towel, and let dry.
7. Then put them in your preferred jar, preferably glass.
8. Keep your grapes inside the refrigerator, and then grab a jar of these delicious grapes to snack on during the course of your day.

Placing your grapes in the jar or another airtight container is essential for sealing in the freshness. Do not put the grapes back in the bag that they were in.

Grapes Gone Bad

It is easy to determine if the grapes are in good condition or have already turned bad.

Here are the indications of grapes gone bad:

• Texture changes: The grapes have less volume as they sit in the fridge or on the kitchen counter. Although the slight squishiness of the grapes you've had for a couple of days is acceptable, excessively soft and mushy ones should be eliminated.
• Colour changes: Color changes are another sign of spoilage in grapes. If you observe a lot of browning on your grapes, you should throw them out.
• A sour smell: If your grapes smell like they've been fermented and have an acidic odour. I don't think they've aged like good wine. It's time to be discarded.
• Mold: The word "mold" is a real alarm bell that is the right time to throw out the grapes.

It is essential to adhere to food safety guidelines and don't eat grapes that are turning bad. 

How Can You Make Grapes Last Longer?

If you own a vineyard or purchase too many grapes when you find that plump and fresh-looking fruit in the market, you may be faced with the issue of large quantities of grapes that go bad.

1. Freeze Grapes

If you've got too many grapes and you know you'll not be able to consume them before they go bad, the best option is to freeze the bunches. The process of freezing grapes doesn't take a lot of time or effort.

How to store grapes:

1. Take the grapes off the stem, and then wash them.
2. Dry them.
3. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, place the grapes on the baking tray in one layer. This is crucial for preventing them from adhering to each other.
4. Place the baking tray along with grapes in the freezer.
5. When the grapes are frozen, place them into sealed plastic bags and put them in the freezer.
6. Grapes can be kept like this for up to one year.
7. Thaw in the fridge if desired. 

There is no need to defrost grapes that have been frozen. They're much better frozen since the process of thawing causes them to become softer.

The grapes that are frozen are a fantastic snack. They can also be used to make smoothies and shakes cold.

You can chill drinks and even alcoholic drinks such as wine by using frozen grapes. Grapes frozen in the freezer can be used as tasty frozen ice cubes that will not water down your drink!

2. Make Grape Jam

If you've got a lot of grapes that are just about to turn bad and you're not sure what to do with them, make jam. Making jam from grapes is simple and doesn't require many ingredients.

Just add sweetener and juice of a lemon to grapes to transform them into a delicious preserve.

This is how you can make grape jelly:

1. The grapes should be removed from the stem and placed in a pan.
2. Add lemon juice and sugar to the grapes, and cook at a simmer. Add 1 tbsp citrus juice and 1 cup sugar to 4 cups of seedless grapes.
3. The grapes should be crushed until you achieve the consistency you want.
4. Simmer and stir frequently for about 30 to 45 minutes.
5. After the jam has thickened and is stable, it is time to turn off the heat. Let the jam cool, and then transfer it to sterilized jars.
6. Make sure to keep your homemade grape jam in the fridge and consume it within one month.

If you want your jam to last longer, you can use the water bath canning method. This increases the shelf-life of jams that you make yourself to five to six months. You can also put the jam in a freezer to extend its shelf life by twelve months.

Frequently Asked Questions