Seasonal Spotlight: Kyoho Grapes

Around the end of summer and into the early Fall, farmer's markets and Asian food stores have these wonderful dark purple/black grapes called kyoho grapes. Why should you buy them?

Well, because they're absolutely delicious, that's why!! My partner and I call them "grape grape grape grape" because they have such an intense sweet grape flavor. Each year we gleefully wait for them to come into season, and I'm surprised we manage to bring some home - we end up gobbling them right from the bag on the way home.

Kyoho grapes were first developed in Japan and are a cross between Campbell and Centennial grape varieties. They have a Concord-like sweetness and their skins are loose - this is known as "slip-skin." The fruits are larger than most grapes, making your mouth explode with sugary goodness.

(Image: Kathryn Hill)

Comments (5)

I love these! And concord grapes, too.

Anyone know if they could be use to sub for concord grapes to make concord grape pies?

posted by santacruzbooboo on September 12th 2008 at 11:28am
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I love these, too! Never knew what to call them in English.

posted by randomname on September 12th 2008 at 1:36pm
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Me too! When I was younger, I used to slip the grape skins on my fingers and pretend I was a frog... oh memories~

posted by jenniejenjen on September 12th 2008 at 2:49pm
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I love these! Now to add that to my shopping list for tomorrow!

posted by umeboshi on September 12th 2008 at 6:21pm
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In PA I used to get locally grown grapes about this time of year. They have a real grapey flavor, unlike the common CA grapes. They are small and have a kinda thicker skin but flavorwise completely different from the every day grapes at the grocery store.

posted by princexy on September 15th 2008 at 3:17pm
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