Grapes are typical late summer fruits that are mostly imported. Vines can be successfully cultivated in your own garden. If you want to avoid imports, cultivation is a good option. The question then arises as to when the fruit is ready to be harvested.
In Germany, grapes can only be harvested in late summer
high and low season
In Germany, the harvest takes place in late summer. The cultivation of light-fruited vines is common in Europe. Table grapes are commercially available from September to October. The Mediterranean countries supply the supermarkets with fresh grapes until December.
While in the past those with a sweet tooth had to wait a whole year to enjoy grapes again, there is now a year-round supply of green, purple or light red fruits. Red, white and blue grapes fill supermarket shelves in the off-season and come mainly from South America.
imported goods
Since the fruit, unlike pears, apples and bananas, does not ripen, it is picked when ripe. After selecting specimens that are too small or damaged, the panicles are packed in open plastic bags or paper sleeves. For transport, the goods come in crates to which sodium sulphide has been added. The sulfur dioxide released protects the fruit from gray mold and extends its shelf life. They will keep for several months in high humidity and temperatures just above freezing.
Local grape harvest
The traditional harvest is done manually. The so-called Herbster only cut off the ripe grapes so that the remaining fruits can continue to ripen. Special picking machines harvest the vines by tapping and shaking. The grape harvest in Central Europe usually extends between late summer and autumn, depending on the grape variety and location. Some grape cultivars are harvested after single-digit minus frosts from December through January to produce ice wine.
Harvest Notes
From the end of August, early-ripening varieties produce the first ripe grapes, while late-ripening varieties are ready to eat from the end of September. You have about two to three weeks to harvest a vine, as the fruit ripens differently depending on the sunlight.
How to recognize ripe grapes:
- have an even color
- are plump and undamaged
- have a sweet aroma
- show woody stems
- have brown nuclei
quality feature
Like plums and damsons, grapes are characterized by a typical coating on the skin that appears whitish and can be easily wiped off. This so-called scent film, which is also known as misty dew, is a sign of freshness. It is caused by the temperature change between night and day and is the natural residue of the evaporated humidity. Only wash the fruit just before eating, as this coating protects against premature aging.
tips
The yields of early-ripening vines cannot be stored as long as berries from late-bearing varieties. Plant different varieties to get the most out of the season.