Muscadine Grapes for Delivery or Pickup

Native to North America, the muscadine grape is essentially a nutritional powerhouse. In the American South, the numerous strains of muscadine grapes have grown to be a delicacy, and many states have vineyards producing muscadine and scuppernong wine. Unlike bunch table grapes, muscadine grapes are picked individually, often without a stem, have large edible seeds, and a thick slip skin. 

Like most other vibrantly colored fruits, vegetables, and berries, muscadine grapes are rich in polyphenols — particularly the compound resveratrol (contained in the skins and edible seeds). These grapes have recently come back into popularity due to this high polyphenol content. Polyphenols are compounds used in natural and traditional medicinal practices because of their powerful antioxidant effects.

A single 4-ounce serving contains 4.5 grams of fiber, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, and around 65 calories. This high fiber content is found in the seeds and skins and is great for preventing digestive issues. Additionally, resveratrol has been shown to lower low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) levels, increase vascular function, decrease oxidative cell stress, and fight chronic inflammation. It also lowers the chances of blood clots, helping to reduce heart attack and stroke risk.

When choosing your muscadines, look for grapes that are fully colored, plump, and uniformly ripe. Ripe muscadine grapes tend to have a slightly dull appearance, while underripe ones will appear shinier. If a muscadine grape is picked before it is fully ripe, it stays at that level of freshness. It does not ripen with age or get sweeter in storage. Most fresh muscadine grapes you'll find at the market have what is called a dry stem scar. This just means that the skin doesn't tear when they're pulled from their stems. While those with wet stem scars also taste great, they leak and won't last as long as those the others.

Any grapes that look shriveled or wrinkled should be avoided, along with any obvious signs of decay or damage like mold or dark spots.

If you're in the market for muscadine grapes but short on time, open your Instacart app, search for "muscadine grapes," and add some to your shopping cart. An Instacart shopper will shop for your items and get them to you in as little as 2 hours! The chat function allows you to maintain open communication with your shopper while they pick out your items, so you can be specific about the muscadines you prefer. 

As with most berries and small fruits, muscadine grapes tend to have a longer shelf life when kept away from heat and stored at lower temperatures. The lower the humidity level, the more quickly they will lose weight and shrivel. Muscadines are best stored in a clamshell or other closed container. Grapes stored in open or ventilated containers will dehydrate in refrigeration. Muscadine grapes stored in the refrigerator, under ideal conditions, should last at least a week. Remember not to wash them until you're ready to eat or use them. 

Muscadine grapes can also be frozen and used later. They're generally cooked, then the pulp, hulls, and juice are frozen. You can also freeze them whole if you wash, drain, and package them tightly together in an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen, they should last a year or longer. If you don't want them to stick together, freeze muscadine grapes solid, spreading them out on a tray before storing them.