As the New Year brings ideas of healthier living and eating better, let’s take a look at one of the most fundamental plants on the planet that can help us achieve our goals – the Great Grape.

One plant, so many uses. Be it from the curly-que vines to the plump sweet fruit, the grape vine is one of the most useful/versatile plants on Earth.

Most of us have one or more items made from grapes already in our kitchens. We forget how many we have because they have become so routine in our lives. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are still one of the most basic lunch items for children – or adults when it comes to a midnight snack.

Grape

Although each grape may be small, it is very complex. It is composed of several sugars, different types of acids, and a number of minerals. All in all, over 300 different components reside in a single grape. So in every bite, besides being juicy and delicious, the grape is a wonderful healthy and wholesome snack. Just give your little gems a rinse when they come home from the store and they are ready to enjoy.

Frozen grapes make great & colorful ‘ice cubes’. And there’s no need to fuss about cutting, or slicing them, they are packaged in little bite size pieces

Juice

There are literally thousands of jams, jellies, preserves and sauces that are made from grape juice. Flavors can range from sweet to sour to spicy hot. Whatever your culinary need, there is probably a grape based jelly or sauce out there it fill it.

And let’s not forget the most popular items made from grapes – juice and wine. Juices and wines from around the world can be found in our stores. All it takes is a walk down the aisle to travel across the globe to remember a wine from Italy or Spain.

Seed

Grape seed oil is polyunsaturated oil that is high in antioxidants and bio-flavonoids. The oil even contains one of the two essential fatty acids that the human body cannot produce (omega-6), but is necessary in decreasing cholesterin. (a component of cholesterol). Only one tablespoon of grape seed oil provides nearly 100% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin E.

For culinary uses, an added plus of grape seed oil is that it has a high heat tolerance, so it is less likely to burn or smoke up your kitchen. It can be used for sautéing vegetables, a quick stir fry or drizzling on a fresh tomato and cucumber salad.

Leaves

The color variation of the leaf is as varied as the grapes themselves. Some are as green as a Granny Smith apple while others are as dark green as a Black Diamond watermelon.

Grape leaves have been used for centuries in Mediterranean and Greek cooking. The most popular method is used for dolmades – stuffed grape leaves with a delicious meat & rice mixture, very similar to cabbage rolls.

If you plan on picking leaves yourself, the best time to harvest leaves are when they are still soft and tender. Older leavers tend to be more brittle and stiff. Most larger stores have grape leaves already prepared in a jar.

Vine

Each year wineries and vintners trim their vines after the Winter season. The plant will then grow new vines and develop fruit from the new growth. But what to do with all those tangled old vines? Miles and miles of old vines are used to make vine wreaths of all sizes. In addition to holiday wreaths, the grape garland can be used in creative floral arrangements.

The Whole Plant

Grape vines can be grown on an arbor or decorative trellis in most sunny backyards. Add a patio seat and you have a beautiful place to sit and enjoy on of nature’s most bountiful fruits – the great grape.