How to Wash Red Grapes on the Vine
Whether you are buying clusters of grapes from the store or harvesting them from your garden, grapes grow in a variety of colors including purple, black, red and green. No matter the color, you wash them the same way before eating or before crushing them to make wine. You do not need to make an easy job into a tedious one, so do not pick grapes off the vine clusters and wash them individually.
Remove any soft or rotten fruits from the cluster. When harvesting, pick only grapes with a solid red color. Keep grapes on the vines and in a perforated bag when you store them. Store in the refrigerator for up to five days. Wash the grapes only when you're ready to eat or use them.
Hold clusters of grapes still on the vine under cold running water to wash them. Turn the grapes while washing, holding them under the water for 20 to 30 seconds. Place a bowl underneath to catch falling grapes, or put the grapes in a colander and run water over them. Again, pick off rotten or discolored grapes and discard.
Drain the grapes in the colander or hold them up for a few seconds to allow most of the water to drip off. Then, set the grapes in a bowl and pat them dry with a paper towel. Set a dry paper towel at the bottom of the bowl to absorb any remaining water before eating or using them.
- Only wash grapes you plan to eat or use, removing sections off of the vine, as necessary, before washing.
Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. She has also written for various online publications. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.