The grape belongs to the family of Vitaceae and the genus of Vitis. It needs a warm climate for its good cultivation. The fermentation of this fruit gives rise to wine, a magical elixir and delight for many. It is believed that its origin is in the Caspian Sea in the Asian area and from there it spread to all countries on the Mediterranean coast. It is believed that the grape was the first fruit cultivated by man and there are traces that show that during the Prehistoric period, it was already cultivated throughout Europe. In fact, the Greeks and especially the Romans made a true cult of wine. Grapes arrived in America thanks to Spanish colonists. It spread, but caught a disease because of an insect and was destroyed. One of these insects (phylloxera) reached Europe and there was a huge plague and all the vineyards were either destroyed or damaged, so they had to take an American strain, which had become immune to that disease and thus European strains could be reproduced. Currently, it is grown in warm regions, but in 1800 it was even grown in regions of northern Europe and that is how greenhouses emerged, because they built glass and heating huts to keep the grapes at the ideal temperature. The main grape-producing countries are: Australia, Europe (Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Turkey, Greece), America (California, Chile, Argentina) and South Africa. Most grape harvests are destined for wine production. Its consumption is very important worldwide. It is increasingly valued and consumed. Properties / Health of the Grape Grapes contain 80% water, fiber, have many calories, carbohydrates (glucose and fructose = sugars). Grapes have a great blood purifying power and it is very interesting to do a detoxification cure every autumn. It consists of eating only grapes for 3 days (2 or 3 kgs/day). It is ideal and also helps lose weight. Grapes contain: - Vitamins: C, a lot of A, B6, B1, B2, E. - Minerals: Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium. - Others: Folic Acid, Anthocyanins, Flavonoids, Tannins (give color and aroma to wine), Antioxidants, Oxalic Acid. It has beneficial properties for: - Purifying and detoxifying. - Intestinal transit problems, constipation (eat them with skin and seeds). - Diuretic. - Immune system: lowered defenses, production of red and white blood cells, antibody formation. - Transmission and generation of nervous and muscular impulse. - Proper brain function. - Anticancer. - Cardiovascular and degenerative problems. - Hypertension. - Cholesterol. - Gout. - Uric acid. - Stress. - Pregnant women: good development of the nervous system. - NOT recommended for kidney stones. Varieties / Season of the Grape There are 600 species of the climbing vine shrub. Grapes grow in clusters from the vines (common or European vines) and their vine fields are called vineyards. There are 20 species of the Vitis genus and they are classified according to their destination (as table fruit, table wine, juices or musts, raisins...) and according to their size, color, taste, shape, quality. - Grapes as table fruit: Moscatel (Spain) Sweetwater Lambrusca (American) Muscadine (southern USA) D.O. Vinalopó (Alicante-Spain) - Raisin grapes: Uvas Málaga D.O. Corinth Raisins (Greece) Sultana Raisins - Table wine grapes: Red Wine Grapes: Merlot, Garnacha Tinto, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Cariñena, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tintorera, and Gracian. White Wine Grapes: Palomino, Moscatel, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Carnacha Blanca. The table wines can be classified as: White, Rosé, Red, and dessert wines (mistelle, muscatel). When buying them, make sure the skin is smooth and without punctures. To know if they are too ripe, take the bunch and shake it gently, if some grains fall, choose a less ripe one. They can last in the fridge for 10 to 15 days. Grape Recipes Grapes as table fruit are delicious, sweet, and fresh. They are usually eaten as they are, alone. Although some people add them to fruit salads. Raisins are very energetic. In raisins, everything is concentrated: calories, vitamins, carbohydrates or sugars, potassium... They are