You have bought an extra bag of grapes to take advantage of a sale. Now it’s in the fridge Do you wonder how long the grapes last?.
Or maybe you forgot about the pile in the fridge, and now you are looking for ways to make them stay fresh longer and not spoil.
Either way, it’s time to learn a little about grapes’ shelf life, storage practices, and signs of spoilage.
If that’s what you’re looking for, keep reading.
How long do grapes last?
Grapes last 5-10 days in the fridge and 2-4 days on the counter. That is the gist of it.
Whether your grapes are going to end up on the higher or lower end of the spectrum. depends on the quality and freshness of the fruit.
If the grapes were picked and bagged a day or two ago, the stems are green, and the fruit plump, they will last quite a while.
On the other hand, if the bag was kept in the produce section for three to four days, the grapes will only keep for a few days. And you will probably have to discard some of them.
If you want your grapes to last longer, buy them at the farmer’s market, where they are usually fresh, rather than at the supermarket.
| Pantry / On the counter | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Grapes | 2-4 days | 5 – 10 days |
How do you know when the grapes are bad?
Discard grapes if:
- They are mouldy. Any hairy action means the fruit is no longer safe to eat.
- They are super soft, oozing fluid, or wrinkled. If they are losing (or have already lost) their water, it is time for them to go.
- They have bruises or brown spots. If some parts of the fruit deteriorate or spoil, the fruit is ready.
A couple of rotten grapes doesn’t mean you have to throw away the whole bunch. Remove the ones that are off and enjoy the rest.
Another thing you should pay attention to is the freshness of the fruit. This way, you’ll know if your grapes can still stay in the fridge or if you should use them ASAP.
Take a look at:
- stems. Green stems that hold the grapes well are optimal. If they are turning brown and some grapes fall off on their own, hurry up.
- Grapes. They should be plump and full of color. If they start to soften and the color fades, they won’t last much longer.
Did you know that Raisins are basically raisins?
How to Store Grapes to Keep Them Fresh
Now you know keeping grapes in the fridge is much better than on the counter in a fruit bowl
Let’s talk about some other storage practices that help grapes stay fresh as long as possible.
The first is the packaging.
In most supermarkets, the grapes come in ventilated bagsand that is the best storage option.
If yours didn’t come in such a bag, use a plastic bag and poke a few holes in it, or a resealable plastic bag and leave it ajar.
The second is leaving the grapes attached to their stems. Remove them from the stem only when you are ready to serve them.
The third is not washing fruit until you are ready to eat it. As with most fruits, you should wash the grapes just before serving.
Since you’ll be keeping the grapes in a perforated bag, make sure they don’t sit near smelly foods. In this way, they do not capture odors.
