SALINAS, CA - Summertime here in California means a multitude of things for me; tons of sunshine, more time with my family, and plenty of fresh produce to snack on as I try to keep cool. An iconic seasonal staple in our household growing up was grapes, and Naturipe Farms sure knows how to deliver this summer beauty. The farmer-owned producer and marketer of fresh, nutritious berries has announced the start of its harvest for a season that is expected to bring bountiful amounts of its proprietary Seedless Muscadine Vine Drops.
“We’re excited about this year’s Vine Drop crop because we expect to drastically surpass our original anticipated volumes,” said Jim Roberts, President of Sales at Naturipe.
July marks the start of Naturipe’s harvest for the seedless Muscadine in Georgia. This will continue through the first frost, which is usually in October. As one of America’s oldest grape varieties, Muscadines come with a rich history.
“We’re excited to bring this uniquely seedless variety to market for consumers everywhere to experience the flavor they have always enjoyed, without the seed,” Roberts continued. “We will be packing the Vine Drops in a 1 lb clamshell at a great introductory price to encourage consumers to try this wonderful fruit.”
Native to the Southeast, the original Muscadine is a unique grape that is crisp, sweet, tart, and packed with nutrients. According to the company’s release, the variety was first discovered by Englishmen in 1585 on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, where the Mothervine continues to thrive today. Muscadines have been long known for their use to make sweet wine. In fact, the wine industry was largely based on scuppernongs and muscadines in the 1800s and early 1900s until Prohibition.
As a sweet wine consumer, I wouldn’t mind a bottle or two of this delicious grape to sip throughout the summer heat. On top of its various uses, the variety is also known for its superfruit properties. Muscadines are filled with polyphenolic antioxidants and are packed with good-for-you nutrients.
“Muscadines are packed with polyphenols, making them among the most nutritious fruits out there,” said Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, Registered Dietitian and President and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation. “Polyphenols are naturally occurring, healthful compounds found in plants. Acting as antioxidants, they promote digestion and brain health, reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and even reduce the risk of certain cancers.”
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