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See also: Article on Grapes; Grape Tips; Wine; Grape Quotes
GRAPE FACTS & TRIVIA
The grape is one of the oldest fruits to be cultivated going back as far as biblical times. Spanish explorers introduced the fruit to America approximately 300 years ago. Some of the most popular ways in which the fruit is used, is eaten fresh, in preserves or canned in jellies, dried into raisins, and crushed for juice or wine. Although, machines have taken the place of much handwork, table grapes are still harvested by hand in many places.
(Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition, 1992). CDC.gov - 5 a Day
The oldest cultivated grapevine in the country grows in North Carolina. The Mothervine in Manteo, Roanoke Island is a 400 year old Scuppernong vine. The Scuppernong or Muscadine grape is also the North Carolina state fruit.
Grape growing is the largest food industry in the world. There are more than 60 species and 8000 varieties of grapes, and they can all be used to make juice and/or wine.
The average person eats eight pounds of grapes a year.
The best selling grape in the U.S. is the Thompson Seedless. Golden raisins are also made from the Thompson seedless grape.
Botanically, grapes are berries. There are about 25 million acres of grapes worldwide.
The world production of grapes is over 72 million tons.
If white wine goes with fish, do white grapes go with sushi?
About 25% of the grapes eaten in the United States are imported from Chile.
California grows over 300,000 tons of grapes each year.
California has more then 500,000 acres of wine grapes. (2005)
It takes about 2 1/2 pounds of grapes to produce a bottle of wine.
One acre of grapes can produce an average of about 15,000 glasses of wine.
The most valuable fruit crops in the United States are in order, grapes, apples, oranges and strawberries (2000).
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