Scuppernong grapes, the first type of grape grown in the US, are a variety of Muscadine grape grown in the Southeast. They are rich in vitamins and can be eaten fresh or made into wine, cakes, and jellies. The oldest known vine in the US, the Mother Vineyard, is located on Roanoke Island. Scuppernong was declared the official state fruit of North Carolina in 2001.
Scuppernong grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) were the first type of grape actively grown in the United States. The word “scuppernong” comes from the Indian Algonquin ascop, which means “sweet laurel tree”. The grapes are grown in different parts of the United States, but are mostly grown in parts of the Southeast.
Scuppernong grapes are a variety of Muscadine grape. The midges grow wild in all areas of the southeastern and midwestern United States, in states such as Missouri, Kansas, Delaware and North Carolina. Scuppernongs thrive in the south because they require warmer temperatures and a relatively wet growing season. They especially thrive on sandy soils and can be found growing across the southern coast.
Scuppernong grapes are distinguished from other Muscadine cultivars, as they are bronze or gold in color. They are rich in vitamin C and contain significant amounts of vitamin B and potassium. The sugar content of the cultivars varies between 16 percent and 25 percent. The skin is thick and tough and the large seeds are bitter. The grapes can be eaten fresh or made into wine, cakes and jellies.
There are several male and female varieties of scuppernong grapes. Among the female scuppernongs are the Bronze Fry, Bronze Higgins, Bronze Old Fashioned and Bronze Southern Sweet Scuppernong. Male varieties include Bronze Carlos, Bronze Dixie Sweet, Bronze Magnolia and Bronze Tara grapes.
Explorers recorded the discovery of the scuppernong grape as early as the 16th century. Sir Walter Raleigh sent reports of his grape discoveries in the Outer Banks. In 1810, Dr. Calvin Jones discovered the scuppernong grape growing in northeastern North Carolina. Eventually, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Agricultural Experimental Station actively grew muscadine grapes throughout the region.
Mystery surrounds Mother Vineyard, the oldest known vine in the United States. Located on Roanoke Island, the vine is also known as the “Mother Vine,” and scuppernong and other Muscadine grapes grow along it. The vineyard, which was half a hectare (0.2 hectares) in size at one point, appears to have been deliberately planted and tended. Some historians are still arguing about the origin of the mother vine.
In 2001, the North Carolina General Assembly declared scuppernong the official state fruit. Today, grape growing is a growing industry in the state, ranking 10th in the United States in grape and wine production. The wines of the region include sweet and sparkling wines that feature Scuppernong grapes.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
