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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 in the Prehistory 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. They spread, but caught a disease because of an insect and were destroyed. One of these insects (the 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 vine, which had become immune to this disease and thus European vines could be reproduced. Currently, it is cultivated in warm regions, but in 1800 it was even cultivated in regions of northern Europe, and that's how greenhouses emerged, because they built a glass and heating shed 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 of the grape harvests are destined for wine production. Its consumption is very important worldwide. It is increasingly valued and consumed more. Properties / Health of Grape: Grapes contain 80% water, fiber, 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 kg/day). It is ideal and also helps in weight loss. Grapes contain: - Vitamins: C, A lot, 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: lowers defenses, produces red and white blood cells, forms antibodies. - Transmission and generation of nerve and muscle impulses. - 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 / Grape Season: There are 600 species of the climbing vine bush. Grapes grow in clusters on vines (common or European vines) and their vineyards are called vineyards or vineyards. There are 20 species of the genus Vitis and they are classified according to their use (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) Muscadina (southeastern USA) D.O. Vinalopó (Alicante-Spain) - Raisin Grapes: Málaga D.O. Grapes 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, Muscatel, Macabeo, Chardonnay, White Carnacha. Table wines, in a concise way, could be classified as: White, Rosé, Red, and dessert wines (mistela, muscatel). When buying them, make sure the skin is smooth and free of punctures. To know if they are too ripe, take the cluster and shake it gently, if some grains fall, choose a less ripe one. They last in the fridge for 10 to 15 days. Grapes as a table fruit are delicious, sweet, and fresh. They are usually eaten as they are, alone. Some people add them to fruit salad. Raisins are very energetic. In raisins, all the calories, vitamins, carbohydrates or sugars, potassium... are concentrated. They are ideal for