Since the end of spring, one fruit after another has been ripening and currently it is grapes, among others, that are sweetening our day. Anyone who is enjoying a rich harvest this year will probably be wondering how to use the grapes. Because they don't last very long and eating them all is almost impossible. If you don't want to make wine, you may be wondering: Can you freeze grapes? We would like to answer this question for you.
Frozen grapes – Is this possible and are they even edible?
In principle, all types of fruit can be usedkeep in the freezer, if you know how. However, some of them have to be processed into puree beforehand, otherwise the fruits will turn brown, while others unfortunately become mushy after thawing and are then more suitable for compote. But not the grapes. Now what does that mean? Can you freeze grapes or not?
Yes, it's not only possible, it actually works better than with many other types of fruit because the grapes have a skin that keeps them crisp and fresh even after thawing. However, there is also a “but” here. What needs to be taken into account?
Can you freeze grapes and which grapes are suitable?
If you freeze green grapes with seeds, like so many other fruits, they will become mushy after thawing. For this reason, the blue varieties are better if you want to snack on them straight as usual or use them to decorate desserts.
However, that doesn't mean that the green ones aren't suitable at all. What can you do with such grapes? Despite their softer consistency, they are perfect for, among other thingsMaking compoteor jam. It's also best to use seedless varieties if you want to preserve grapes by freezing.
If you want to freeze them, you should first select the right fruits and then process or prepare these grapes. The faster you freeze the grapes, the more flavor is retained. So it's best to do this right after harvest. Here's what you should then do:
The right preparation
- Sort out damaged fruits and clean the remaining ones.
Fruits whose shells are cracked or otherwise damaged cannot be preserved in the freezer. Sort these out and consume them straight away or throw them away if they are no longer suitable for consumption. Make sure the shell is firm. Remove the stems.
- Clean them.
To do this, simply place the grapes in a sieve and rinse them well under running water. Then drain them well and pat them dry with kitchen paper.
- Optionally add sugar to the fruit.
Before you freeze the grapes, you can sweeten them additionally. To do this, simply spread them out on a tray (they should not touch each other) and sugar them. This step is optional and you can choose the amount of sugar according to your own taste.
Now freeze the grapes properly
With the grapes now lying on the tray, put them in the freezer. It is best to choose the quick freezer compartment for this. After five to six hours, the fruit is now frozen deep enough to be poured into a space-saving container. Don't wait too long to do this, because the longer they stay on the baking tray, the more flavor is lost.
The transfer should happen quickly without them thawing. Both are available as containersSuitable for freezer bags, as well as freezer containers with lids. Label them with the date in advance so as not to waste time when decanting when the grapes begin to thaw. You can now freeze and seal the fruit up tokeep for six months.
What can you use frozen grapes for?
We have already mentioned some of the possible uses above. Blue grapes can be frozen as a snack because they taste perfect even when frozen and are really refreshing on hot days. For this reason, they often act as ice cubes in sparkling wine or other drinks.
You can utilize the squishier green grapes by using them for compote or jam, as well as juice or syrup. Grape juice tastes particularly delicious when you use itCombine with apple juice(250 ml per 2 kg of green grapes). To get a clear juice, after all the fruit has burst, strain the cooked liquid through a sieve. How to remove seeds, peel and pulp.
Danger!Frozen grapes are particularly slippery due to their smooth, solid skin and pose a choking hazard for children. They are therefore not a suitable children's snack.
