How to Store Grapes So They Last Even Longer

Perfect for snacking, firm and juicy table grapes instantly satisfy that craving for a bite of something sweet, whether enjoyed as a snack or as a complement to cheese or charcuterie boards. Once you know how to store grapes properly, maintaining their tantalizing texture and taste is a cinch. We spoke to fruit experts and learned that keeping grapes crisp (and avoiding soggy specimens) starts with buying the freshest grapes and continues with how you handle them after bringing them home from the market. Get their pro tips for storing grapes correctly and extending their shelf life.

Shopping for Grapes

When browsing bunches in the produce aisle, seek out the freshest grapes you can find, as starting with fresher grapes will mean they stay juicy and delicious for longer. Our experts say to look for:

Bright color: Green grapes are best when yellow-green, red grapes should be uniformly red, and black grapes, a deep purple color. 

Strong stems: The grapes should be firmly attached to green, flexible stems. if they're brown or the grapes are decayed, move on. "Grapes will lose moisture over time, and the first thing to notice is the stems will dry, and eventually the grapes will soften, with some slight skin wrinkling," says Rutul Joshi, director of produce merchandising, at FreshDirect, an online grocer that sells unique, sustainable varietals.

Bloom: White and waxy, bloom is beneficial and is most noticeable on red and black grapes. "Bloom is a natural coating produced by the plant itself as a protective layer on the outside of grapes that helps them stay fresh longer," Jen Sanchez, vice president of marketing at Sun World International, a global fruit development company. "It is okay to buy grapes with bloom, but it is not a good way to judge freshness." More bloom doesn't mean that the grapes will last longer either, says Alex Jackson, vice president of sales and procurement for Frieda's Branded Produce.

Types of Grapes That Last Longest

"Some varieties can spoil more quickly than others," says Sanchez. Others have more endurance.

• Thicker-skinned varieties, including Crimson Seedless and Moon Drop grapes, generally have a longer shelf life.
• Grapes with a firmer texture, such as AutumnCrisp, will last longer than grapes with a softer texture, says Sanchez, referring to one of Sun World's proprietary brands. Large, green, and seedless, these grapes can last up to two weeks when stored in the crisper drawer in their original packaging.
  

How to Store Grapes

Like all fresh fruit, grapes can easily go south if not stored properly.

Put Them in the Refrigerator

While grapes look pretty in a fruit bowl on the counter, it's not the optimal place to keep them. The crisper drawer—the coldest part of the refrigerator—is the best place to store grapes. It helps them retain their moisture, says Jackson.

Washing and Packaging

• Only wash when ready to eat: While some fruit lovers prefer to rinse their grapes before storage, resist the urge. "Do not wash grapes before storing them! Leave them as is so they last longer," says Jackson, noting that the additional moisture will trigger faster spoilage.
• Use the original packaging: "All grape packaging is ventilated to preserve the quality, so it's best to keep them in the bag you bought them in," she adds.

Bunches Are Best

Another storage must: keep those clusters of grapes intact. "Loose grapes often dehydrate and become soggy or mushy much more quickly, so it's better to keep grapes on the stem," says Joshi. Keeping them attached helps to maintain texture and quality, adds Jackson. "If you want to pull them off the bunch, wait until right before you're consuming them."

Serving Grapes

When you're ready to enjoy the grapes, place them in a colander and run them under cool, running water for a minute or so. Rinsing also removes the bloom coating. Be sure to remove any smushed or spoiled grapes.

The Right Temperature

While the experts recommend storing grape clusters in the refrigerator, allowances can be made come serving time. After all, temperature can be, well, personal. "Some people like their grapes colder whereas others like them at room temperature," says Jackson. "If you're a room temperature person, keep most of your grapes in the fridge, and one serving on the counter in the fruit bowl."

Sanchez suggests another simple workaround for clusters and off-the-vine grapes. "When serving grapes for dinner parties or snacking, set the bowl of loose grapes in an ice bucket," she says. "This will ensure a chilled, crisp, and fresh bite."