Grapes

Grapes are a naturally nutritious, low-calorie fruit, made of about 80% water, and are a good source of potassium. They contain vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. Rich in pure glucose, or “grape sugar,” they are immensely energizing. Raisins are only about 15% water, but have higher iron and fiber contents. Grapes have been a well-loved part of the human diet for thousands of years. Records of grape cultivation go back to at least 1000 BC, with references to grapes appearing along the Nile, the Persian deserts, Palestine, and the Mediterranean areas of Europe. The Mediterranean is still a prime grape-growing area. Grapes are grown all over the world because they are among the most versatile and adaptable of all small fruits. A number of additional health benefits stem from grapes. The fruits contain phytonutrients, active substances that are believed to protect the body from certain cancers and heart disease. The phytonutrients in grapes are called phenolic compounds, and include quercetin, anthocyanin, catechin and resveratrol. These compounds, of which wine is a major source, also exhibit antioxidant properties. Grapes make an excellent back-yard crop. The vines do not take up much space, and since there are varieties that are well adapted to a wide range of climates, inexperienced gardeners should be able to produce a good crop. Although they do not begin to produce as quickly as some other small fruits, total fruit bearing years of the plant is much longer than other garden fruits. Raspberry and strawberry plants may have to be replaced every 3 to 5 years, grapes are resilient and if properly cared for, they live to a "ripe" old age. Some vineyards in the Western United States have plants that have grown and produced for more than a hundred years, while in other areas, they may be even older.
Grapes
Three men heavily influenced the history of grapes in America: William Wolfskill, Agoston Haraszthy, and William Thompson. In 1839, William Wolfskill, a former trapper from Kentucky, planted the first vineyard of table grapes in California, near what today is Los Angeles. He was the first person to ship grapes to Northern California gold miners. Agoston Haraszthy was an immigrant from Hungary who is often referred to as the father of California viticulture. In the mid1800's, Haraszthy brought one hundred thousand vine cuttings from Europe to California. Unlike Wolfskill, his interest was in wine, so these vine cuttings were for three hundred varieties of wine grapes. In addition to planting them at his own winery, Buena Vista, he sold his imported vine cuttings to growers around the state. William Thompson was born in England in 1839 and immigrated to the United States in 1863. He grafted three vine cuttings of a grape variety called Lady de Coverly to California grapevines. Over a four-year period and some additional graftings, the grapes he produced were named Thompson seedless. Today the Thompson seedless grape is the most popular table grape as well as one of the most versatile. It is also used for juice and wine and accounts for 95 percent of the raisins produced in California.Resveratrol is found primarily in the skin of grapes, and is touted as a potential anticancer and heart-healthy compound. Studies show that, in humans, resveratrol has anti-infective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additional research suggests that the compound helps battle cancer in its various stages, from initiation to promotion to progression.













































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