General Information
Muscadine grapes are large in size and round to oblong in shape, averaging 2-4 centimeters in diameter and grow in loose clusters. The berries resemble small, round plums and the smooth, glossy skin is thick, tough, and ranges in color from green when immature to bronze, dark purple, to almost black when ripe. Muscadine grapes are a slip-skin variety, which means the skins can easily be removed from the flesh without damaging it. The green, translucent flesh is juicy, and there are 1-5 large seeds encased in the center. Muscadine grapes are very sweet with a musky scent and flavor, and the skin is tart or slightly bitter in flavor.
History
Muscadine grapes are native to the United States and were first documented in the mid-1500s. Sir Walter Raleigh is said to have discovered the berry during one of his explorations, and Muscadine grapes are some of the first native grapes to be cultivated in the United States. Today Muscadine grapes can be found growing in the wild and are also cultivated for specialty markets in the United States.
