Updated July 21, 2015.

Grapes are usually eaten raw or made into juices, jams, and jellies. Grape are also the most commonly used fruit used to make wine, and they're often dried and sold as raisins. You'll find several varieties of fresh grapes at the grocery store, including dark almost-black grapes, lighter purple or red grapes, and green grapes. They're all sweet, but with slightly different flavors.

Choosing and Storing Grapes

Choose grapes that are firm to the touch and avoid grapes that appear to be moldy or bruised.

Keep them in the refrigerator at home until you use them. Eat grapes as a quick and easy snack or serve them alongside a sandwich. My favorite summertime trick is to pluck the grapes from their vines and freeze them -- they'll have a texture similar to ice pops, but better for you.

The name 'raisin' comes from 'racemes,' which is a Latin word that refers to a cluster of grapes or berries. They've been around for a long time - depictions of raisins as food or decoration have been found in prehistoric murals in the Mediterranean region. Ancient Egyptians produced and consumed raisins, and eventually introduced them to the western world.

Raisins are a bit more versatile when it comes to cooking than their fresh cousins, and there's no need to refrigerate them until you open their packaging. You'll find raisins in cookies, pastries, and sauces, or tucked away in a lunch bag. A small handful of raisins makes a nice topping for garden salads and oatmeal.

Choosing and Storing Raisins

You'll find packaged raisins in the produce section or the canned fruit aisle at your local grocery store.

They're available in single-serving size boxes and larger containers. They'll stay fresh for up to a month if they're stored in an airtight container. If you need to store them for longer, keep them in your refrigerator.

You can eat raisins just as they are, add them to trail mix or granola, or sprinkle some on a bowl of oatmeal. Since they're dehydrated, they're easy to pack in your bag or purse for a healthy on-the-go snack. Raisins, like other dried fruits, don't have to be cooked and are often found in raw food diets.

Recipes with Grapes and Raisins

Take a look at these healthful recipes that use grapes or raisins as ingredients. They're all from the Food Channel here at About.com:

• Grilled Grapes
• Fillet of Sole with Grapes and Capers
• Shrimp Salad with Honeydew and Grapes
• Make Your Own Raisins
• Mixed Salad With Pears and Raisins
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

<sub>Sources:

Agricultural Issues Center, University of California. "Commodity Profile: Raisins (Dried Grapes)." Accessed May 31, 2012. http://aic.ucdavis.edu/profiles/Raisins-2006.pdf.

United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 24. "Nutrient Data for 09298, Raisins, Seedless." Accessed Maya 31, 2012. http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2472.

Williamson G, Carughi A. "Polyphenol content and health benefits of raisins." Nutr Res. 2010 Aug;30(8):511-9.</sub>

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before taking dietary supplements or making any major dietary changes.