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Concord grapes were developed in the 19th century and are used for jams, jellies, grape juice, and desserts. They have a musky flavor and are hardy, making them popular in Northern states. They were first used for juice and are now also used for wine. They are high in nutrition and antioxidants.
Concord grapes are a grape variety developed in the eastern United States during the 19th century. Grapes have a number of uses and often appear in jams, jellies, grape juice and desserts. Some companies also make wines from these grapes, although the wines tend to have a slightly dark, musty taste that some consumers dislike. Concord grape products are readily available in many markets, and fresh grapes can sometimes be found for sale as well.
Ephraim Wales Bull developed the first Concord grapes, after extensively cultivating a range of New World grapes. It is possible that he crossed his grapes with Old World grapes, but either way he developed a very cold hardy grape that was released to the market in 1854. He named his grapes after Concord, Massachusetts, the very nearby town to his farm.
Concord grapes range in color from purple to black and often have pale bloom. They have an acrid, robust, slightly musky flavor and are not as sweet as many Old World grapes. The skins are easily removed, tending to slide off the fruit inside, especially after a short blanching, and like all grapes they grow in densely packed stems. Because this fruit is very hardy, it is grown in many Northern states.
One of the earliest commercial uses for Concord grapes was juice. In fact, these grapes were among the first fruits to be commercially pressed and pasteurized so they didn’t ferment, creating a non-alcoholic fruit juice product. Grape juice was initially introduced as an alternative to communion wine, although it quickly spread to the rest of the population as well. Dark, tart juice continues to be produced in high volume, along with products such as jam and grape flavoring for desserts.
Purple to black grapes have excellent nutritional value, as they contain antioxidants and helpful vitamins and minerals. For this reason, many consumers like to eat Concord grapes as straight table grapes when they are available. Unsweetened juices are also a good source of nutrition, or those blended with sweeter fruit juice to make a tasty juice cocktail with no added sugar.
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