High and low season
In Germany, the harvest takes place in late summer. The cultivation of light-fruited vines is common in Europe. Table grapes are in season from September to October. The Mediterranean countries supply the supermarkets with fresh grapes until December.
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While in the past those with a sweet tooth had to wait a whole year to enjoy Grapes are now available all year round in green, purple or light red Fruits. Red, white and blue grapes fill the supermarket shelf in the off-season and come mainly from South America.
Imported goods
Since the fruit, unlike pears, apples and bananas, does not ripen, it is picked when it is ripe. After the selection of specimens that are too small or damaged, the panicles are packed in open plastic bags or paper sleeves. The goods are transported in boxes to which sodium sulfide has been added. The released sulfur dioxide protects the fruit from gray mold and extends the shelf life. They keep for several months in high humidity and temperatures just above freezing point.
Local grape harvest
The traditional grape harvest is done manually. The so-called autumns only cut off the ripe grapes so that the remaining fruits can continue to ripen. Special reading machines harvest the vines by knocking and shaking them. Usually the Grape harvest in Central Europe between late summer and autumn, depending on the grape variety and location. Some Grape varieties are harvested after frosts in the single-digit minus range from December to January to produce ice wine.
Harvest advice
Early-ripening varieties bring the first ready-to-eat grapes from the end of August, while later varieties are ready to eat from the end of September. You have around two to three weeks to harvest a grapevine, as the fruits ripen differently depending on the amount of sunlight.
How to recognize ripe grapes:
- have a uniform color
- are plump and undamaged
- have a sweet aroma
- show lignified stems
- have brown colored cores
Quality feature
Like plums and plums, grapes have a typical coating on the skin, which appears whitish and can be easily wiped off. This so-called scent film, also known as fog dew, is a freshness feature. It arises from the temperature change between night and day and represents natural residues of the evaporated humidity. Wash the fruit only shortly before consumption, as this coating protects against premature aging.
Tips
the Income Early-ripening vines cannot be stored for as long as berries from late-bearing varieties. Plant different varieties to make the most of the season.