Not Your Average Grapes: From Berry-Red to Cotton Candy Sweet – I was surprised to discover that there is a lot happening at the moment in the grape market. Yes, those little round fruits have been enjoying some new variety launches, and I was intrigued to try them and learn more about their raison d’etre (if you’ll pardon the pun)
You might not think much about red grapes beyond them being a juicy snack, but the goodness of these naturally red-fleshed grapes is captured in these new red berry grapes; they’re rich in colour from the inside-out thanks to their naturally occurring anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol. Red berry grapes also contain resveratrol – found in red- and purple-coloured fruits, which research has also found to be of potential help for the heart. Found naturally in dark-coloured fruits and vegetables, anthocyanins are the pigments that give fruits their distinctive dark red, black and purple colours, seen in foods such as blueberries, blackberries, cherries, red cabbage and a new variety of grape – BOOMBITES™ red berry grapes.
Apparently an 80g handful of red berry grapes is a colourful addition to your 5-a-day and each 125g serve contains less than 100 calories. Plus, they contain fibre, vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamine, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Antioxidants are firmly in the health spotlight – and now anthocyanins are attracting growing scientific interest for their potential health benefits. These naturally occurring pigments give many red, blue and purple fruits their distinctive colour, with research suggesting they may play a role in heart health, blood-sugar control and inflammation.
Dr Roy Jogiya, Chief Medical Advisor from Heart Research UK, a charity at the forefront of the detection and treatment of heart diseases, says, “Eating the rainbow is a simple way to increase the variety of beneficial plant compounds in your diet and support long-term heart health. However, the greatest benefits come not from a single dietary nutrient, but from consistently eating a varied, plant-rich diet alongside other healthy lifestyle habits. Red berry grapes are one example of many fruits that provide beneficial polyphenols and can form part of a colourful, balanced diet.”
BOOMBITES look just like normal grapes, but slice one open and you’ll find a colourful surprise inside. BOOMBITES Red Berry Grapes combine the juicy sweetness and crunch of a premium table grape with vibrant red flesh reminiscent of a berry or cherry. A decade in development, they were created through natural breeding, crossing premium seedless table grapes with rare red-fleshed varieties traditionally used for wine. Their colour uniquely runs from skin to centre, with BOOMBITES containing six times more anthocyanins than a traditional black-skinned table grape. Available for a limited season at Tesco, M&S and Ocado.
And finally – this time one that you might have already seen on the supermarket shelf – is Cotton Candy. With an unexpectedly sweet, cotton-candy-like flavour, these golden-green grapes might possibly sound too good to be natural. But there’s no genetic modification, artificial flavouring or added sugar involved. Their distinctive taste was developed through traditional plant breeding. Nutritionist Suzie Sawyer calls them a “secret weapon for lunchboxes,” while dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton explains the science behind how growers created their remarkable flavour naturally. Perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, dessert, family days out or simply when you fancy something juicy and sweet – the Cotton Candy grapes make fruit feel a little more exciting. Available at Tesco in these new snack pots, family punnets and sharing packs. Also available in Waitrose and Marks and Spencer.
The Seasoned Gastronome