17 Types of Grapes You Need to Know, From Grocery Store Go-Tos to Farmers Market Favorites

Everything you need to know to make the most of grape season.

There are more than 10,000 varieties of grapes grown globally, but only a small minority makes its way to home kitchens. Many varieties are used exclusively for the production of wine, others are used to make vinegar, distilled spirits, raisins, grape seed oils, jams, jellies, juices, and more. The grapes that find their way to shelves in the produce section of the grocery store or to farmers markets have been cultivated for the most elemental form of grape consumption, to be picked right off the stem and eaten.

While table grapes (grown for eating, not production) are grown in greenhouses all around the world to maintain a constant supply of grapes, farmers markets around the United States pile up with grapes come mid-summer. The grape season in the U.S. lasts from late July through October — in cooler climates you can find grapes through mid-November.

Grapes come in a range of colors from pale green to golden-hued to blush to deep purple, and sizes including tiny orbs smaller than a cubic centimeter to elongated berries that near two inches long. Some grapes are perfectly round while others are oblong, some have astringent seeds while others are filled with pure grape flesh. Some grapes have thick skins with a bitter flavor and contain mouth-drying compounds called tannins. And certain varieties thrive when baked, grilled, or sautéed while others are best enjoyed raw.

Here is everything you need to know about common grape varieties for a more delicious, grape-filled fall.

Related: 14 Ways to Cook and Bake With Grapes This Fall

Where do different types of grapes come from?

While grapes and strawberries have very little in common at first glance, both fruits are actually considered berries. A berry is any fruit that comes from a single flower, and since each individual grape on a stem comes from a lone flower, grapes are therefore berries.

Grapevines fall under "Vitis," a genus in the plant kingdom that has dozens of species and sub-species within it. The best known species is Vitis vinifera, which originated in Europe and includes varieties typically used for wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. The seedless table grapes found at most grocery stores are also V. vinifera but have been modified to grow without seeds and with thinner skins. Most grapes native to North America fall under Vitis labrusca. These grapes, including the well-known Concord grape, are marked by their "slip skins," thicker skins that slip off the pulp with ease.

While there are myriad lesser-known grape species, V. vinifera and V. labrusca are the ones that you are most likely to find at any grocery store, farmers market, or winery.

Muscadine

Known for their ability to thrive in hot and humid climates, thick-skinned Muscadines are native to the Southeastern U.S. These grapes are part of the Vitis rotundifolia genus, an aptly named genus since Muscadine berries are large, rotund orbs of fruit. Muscadines grow in tight bunches on woody vines and have gorgeous shimmery red-black and golden-bronzed skins.

While the tannic skin is entirely edible, slipping the juicy pulp out from the skin and spitting the small seeds can yield a more pleasant eating experience. Muscadines have a gentle, sweet, and floral flavor profile — eat these grapes raw, or stew them into a flavorful jam.

Tear Drop

Also known as Funny Finger grapes, these tubular table grapes come in both green and red varieties. They have a narrow and elongated shape with a pointed end. Tear Drop grapes have thin, snappy skins that aren't too tannic or bitter in flavor. Their translucent flesh is juicy with a somewhat simple, sweet flavor profile. Due to their shape and satisfying crunch, these are some of the best grapes for snacking (especially when stored in the refrigerator and eaten cold).

Concord

Perhaps the grape-iest of all grapes, this variety’s distinct sweet and aromatic flavor makes it a go-to for grape juice and grape-flavored sweets. These grapes are native to North America, a part of the Vitis labrusca genus, and can be found at farmers markets or specialty grocers across the U.S. from late-summer to fall.

Concords are spherical, medium-sized grapes that grow in tightly packed bunches. Their thick, dark purple skins have a tannic bitterness, and if harvested early in the season, can have a green pepper note. The skins are edible, but also easily slip off the sweet and juicy grape pulp that contains a small edible seed at its core. The flavor of Concord grapes is akin to a ripe black plum with a punch of candy-like sweetness.

Due to their intensity of flavor, Concords are an ideal ingredient for cooking and baking and can stand up to full-flavored proteins like duck or pork.

Moon Drop

These elongated seedless grapes, also called Sweet Sapphires, were bred by International Fruit Genetics, a California-based fruit breeding and patenting company, and launched in 2004. The skins of Moon Drop grapes have a deep blue, almost black, color and have a small dimple on the end opposite the stem.

Moon Drop grapes have a balanced sweetness with the flavor intensity of a Concord minus the tannic bitterness and texture of a thick skin. Since each Moon Drop berry is quite large, it makes them the perfect grape for snacking, chopping up into fruit salsas, or throwing onto a salad. While you can cook a Moon Drop grape, they are best enjoyed raw.

Cotton Candy

These candy-flavored grapes fly off shelves at the end of summer. Cotton Candy grapes are seedless with a pale interior and thin, light green skins that turn reddish-gold as they ripen. While they look like standard seedless green grapes, their hyper-sweet flesh tastes much like cotton candy.

Cotton Candy grapes were bred by International Fruit Genetics in 2003 but did not launch in the marketplace until 2011. Find these grapes in a range of grocery stores, often packaged in hard plastic clam-shell boxes. They are best enjoyed eaten raw and are even delicious frozen; their flesh takes on a creamy, sorbet-like quality after a few hours in the freezer.

Red Seeded

Sometimes called Red Globe, these juicy and sweet grapes have thin skins and small seeds. Red seeded grapes are grown all across the world, often in covered greenhouses, so they are accessible at grocery stores year-round. Red Seeded grapes have a globe-like shape.

These light red, almost mauve-hued grapes have a firm flesh that is satisfyingly crisp when you bite into them. The skins of Red Seeded grapes are thin and have a mildly bitter bite. The seeds are small, crunchy, and have a bitter core that cuts through the sweetness of the grape flesh.

Green California Table Grape

When you think of a green grape, this is likely the variety that comes to mind. These easy-to-find grapes are largely grown in California's San Joaquin and Coachella valleys where they ripen quickly in the intense heat. Green California Table Grapes can also be found under the names Autumn King or Blanc Seedless.

These grapes have a light green color and plump oval shape. The flesh is juicy and full, causing the grapes to have a taut texture and satisfyingly crisp crunch. Thanks to their seed-free interiors, these grapes are perfect for snacking or stewing into jams or jellies.

Red Muscato

Much like Red Seeded grapes, Red Muscato grapes are cultivated in greenhouses around the world and are easily found year-round. The medium-sized berries grow in tight bunches and have an oval shape.

Red Muscato grapes have a sweet, firm pulp with flavor reminiscent of apples and yellow plums. These grapes have thin, yet pleasingly bitter skins that contrast their fruity interiors. Red Muscato grapes are perfect for grilling and take on a lovely charred, caramelized flavor when cooked on an open flame.

Gum Drop

These round and petite grapes have a tender texture perfect for both cooking and snacking. Their sweet flavor is akin to their namesake candy. Gum Drop grapes can range in color from deep red to purple-black and the berries are medium-sized and oval-shaped.

Champagne

Novelty grapes, these tiny purple-hued berries are barely a cubic centimeter in size each. Sometimes called Corinth or Black Corinth, Champagne grapes are perfect for eating and look stuning on a charcuterie board or centerpiece for a table.

Despite being called Champagne grapes, they have nothing to do with the famed French sparkling wine region nor are they used in the making of Champagne (which blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier). Champagne grapes are seedless with a sweet and tart flavor profile and a satisfying and surprising popping quality when you eat them.

Black Moscato

These dark purple, sometimes black-hued grapes grow on loosely packed, wiry bunches. Black Moscato grapes are seedless and have a rich and complex flavor profile much like Concords. Their dark black skins have a bit of a bitterness and the flesh is sweet with flavors that recall blackberries and plums. These intensely flavored grapes blend seamlessly into sweet and savory dishes and since they can hold up to high cooking temperatures, are a great variety for braising or grilling.

Related: Move Over Charcuterie – Fruit Platters Are the Key to an Excellent Party

Green Seedless

This more generic variety of grape is much like the Green California Table Grape except it was not bred to be exclusively grown within that climate. With straightforward sweet and tart flavor, thin skins, and seed-free pulp, these are go-to grapes for snacking. Find them at grocery stores year-round, but don't expect any exceptional complexity or out-of-this-world sweetness.

Canadice

Unlike many seedless grape varieties that struggle with hardiness during winter (the vines are more susceptible to freezing due to the genetic modification that yields seed-free grapes), Canadice are one of the few seedless grape varieties that thrive in colder climates like New York state and Canada. But since the clusters are so tightly packed with grapes with little room for air, berry rot can be a risk in areas with high humidity.

The medium-sized grapes grow in clusters that can weigh up to half a pound. The berries have medium-thick skins that burst easily and offer a touch of tannic, bitter flavor. Canadice grapes have a lovely balance of sugary and acidic notes with a fragrant, floral aroma that is really enticing.

Red Seedless

Much like the Green Seedless, this red variety was bred to grow easily in a range of climates around the world, ripen quickly, and have a looser cluster formation to prevent berry rot. These grapes have a simple sweet flavor profile and thin skins. Red Seedless add a pop of sweet, juicy flavor in a fruit salad and are a stellar pairing for any kind of cheese.

Faith

These medium-sized, oval-shaped grapes are a newer hybrid that was developed at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture in 2013. The project included other varieties of seedless grapes without slip skins that are called Joy, Gratitude, and Hope. The Faith variety ripens earliest among the four hybrids and is found in regions with a slightly cooler climate like New York state where it has no risk of ripening if there is an early start to fall.

Faith grapes have a lychee-like floral sweetness and soft pulp. While considered seedless grapes, there are tiny seeds at the core of each berry that are easy to chew and neutral in flavor.

Glenora

These small black grapes have a flavor that distinctly recalls ripe blueberries due to their complex combination of sweet, tart, floral, and acidic flavors. Glenora grapes are a hybrid of V. vinifera and V. lambrusca and have the flavor complexity of a slip-skin grape without the thick, tannic skins.

Somerset

If Glenora grapes recall blueberries, Somersets are all about strawberries. These round, medium-sized grapes have thin skins and a tender pulp that gushes with sweet juice. Their flavor is surprisingly complex given the high level of sweetness: They blend strawberry notes with green apple, rose blossom, and a savory, peppery finish.

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