Candy grapes are delicious little treats that are perfect when paired with wine or cocktails, but they can also be enjoyed on their own as an after-dinner treat.
What Is The Difference Between Candy Grapes And Regular Grapes?
There’s no denying that candy grapes look like real grapes.
However, there are some key differences to note before you make them.
- The skin of candy grapes has been removed so it doesn’t interfere with the taste. This means if you want to eat all of the grapes by hand, you won’t have to worry about having any leftover skins.
- While candy grapes are made from sugar, honey, and other ingredients, regular grapes use natural sugars instead.
- Regular grapes are usually picked green (unripe) while candy grapes are grown for longer periods of time.
- If you’re looking to save money, candy grapes are much cheaper than regular grapes since they don’t require picking.
- Candy grapes contain less water content than regular grapes because of how they were processed during harvesting.
You may wonder what makes these particular grapes different from regular ones.
The answer lies in the process used to create both types of grapes.
First, let’s talk about how grapes are harvested.
When grapes are ready to be eaten, they need to be picked.
Harvesting happens either early in the morning when temperatures aren’t too hot or late in the evening when they start getting cold.
If you don’t pick the grapes at the right moment, they will turn brown and bitter.
Harvesting takes place in three steps: first, the bunches of grapes are cut off from the vine; second, the clusters of grapes are separated; and third, the individual grapes are picked one by one using pruning tools.
In order to do this, the cluster of grapes needs to be split into smaller pieces so each individual grape can be easily seen and pulled out without being damaged.
Once the grapes are removed, they go through several processes.
First, they are cleaned to remove dirt and sand.
Then, they are sorted according to size.
Next, they are placed in barrels where they remain until they ferment naturally.
Finally, they get packed up in small boxes and sent to market.
When you buy grapes, they generally come in two sizes: large and small.
While large grapes are more common, small grapes are just as tasty and versatile.
You might not think they would be good for making candies, but they actually work well.
They are especially popular among kids who love eating fruits dipped in chocolate.
In addition to the above similarities, candy grapes and regular grapes differ in appearance and texture.
Candy grapes tend to vary in color depending on which type of fruit they are made with, ranging from red, yellow, orange, purple, green, blue, white, pink, and black.
On the other hand, regular grapes are typically plain colored and feature darker seeds.
To sum things up, candy grapes are similar to regular grapes in many ways.
Their main difference comes down to how they’re produced.
Because of this, they are sometimes referred to as “candy grapes” instead of “regular grapes”.
Now that we know the basics behind candy grapes, let’s take a closer look at how to make them yourself.
What Is The Difference Between A Candy Grape Recipe And A Regular Grape Recipe?
A candy grape recipe has extra ingredients added to it to create a sweeter taste than a traditional grape.
A candy grape recipe may contain sugar, corn syrup, or honey instead of water, while a regular grape recipe does not have these additional ingredients added.
How Do You Make Candy Grapes?
If you’re new to making candied fruit, then it might seem like a daunting task.
However, candy grapes are actually very easy and quick to prepare, especially if you have some fresh grapes available to use.
In order for them to look like edible grapes, there are three main steps involved:
- Wash the grapes thoroughly under running water.
- Remove the stems from each grape by twisting gently until it snaps off.
- Cut out the core of each grape using a grape cutter or paring knife.
Once all of these steps are completed, simply put them into a pot filled with sugar syrup (which will vary depending on how sweet you want your grapes).
The amount of time depends on the size of your pot, so keep that in mind when preparing them.
You don’t need much more than one cup per batch, though.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Candy Grapes?
The nutritional value of a food refers to how many calories it contains per serving.
Candy grapes contain no fat, sugar, cholesterol, sodium, or other elements found in most foods.
They are made out of natural ingredients like honey, fruits, and seeds, which means there’s no artificial coloring or flavoring added.
Each grape is about 1/3 cup (75 grams) and has just under 30 calories.
Most people will get all of those from one grape if eaten plain, so it’s not recommended to eat them by themselves.
They have around 4 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement, along with vitamins A and B1, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, zinc, iron, calcium, and fiber.
Are Candy Grapes Healthy For You?
The answer to this question depends on whether you’re looking for a snack or a dessert.
If you want something light and refreshing, then candy grapes will do just fine.
However, if you’re more concerned about what goes into them than how they taste, read on to find out which ingredients should be avoided.
Nutritional Value of Candy Grapes
Before we get started, let’s take a look at what makes these little gems so special.
A standard serving size of candy grapes contains eight grams of sugar per serving (or 12 grams when combined).
That means that you could eat one grape by itself or pair it up with another fruit such as blueberries or strawberries.
Not only does the sweetness help balance out any bitterness from the sourness of the berries, but sugar helps boost energy levels.
On top of all of this, there are no preservatives or artificial flavors added during processing.
In terms of vitamins, one grape has 6 mg of vitamin C, a good amount of B6, and 1/4 of your daily dose of fiber.
While these numbers aren’t much compared to other fruits like oranges, cranberries, peaches, and pears, it doesn’t hurt to have some extra nutrients while you’re enjoying something sugary.
How Many Calories Are In A Candy Grape?
Each candy grape contains around 35 to 40 calories per piece, which means it’s best to eat just one if you want to maintain a healthy diet while still indulging in sweets.
However, some people enjoy them so much that they have multiple pieces throughout the day.
If you do choose to indulge in more than one candy grape, make sure to stay hydrated during the meal to avoid getting dehydrated from all of those extra calories.
The average adult should consume no more than 2,000 calories each day, meaning a person who eats two candy grapes every day would only need to eat about 100 additional calories daily.
This amount isn’t going to cause any serious health problems, especially since most candy grapes contain less than 20 grams of sugar — far below what’s considered “too much sugar” by government standards.
What Is The Sugar Content Of Candy Grapes?
While it’s true that candy grapes contain sugar (in varying amounts), the amount found varies between brands.
The average candy grape contains around 7 grams of sugar per 100 g of fruit, while some candies have up to 12 grams per 100 g of fruit.
This does not mean you should avoid candy grapes if you have diabetes because there is no evidence that eating them will increase blood glucose levels.
In fact, the opposite may happen since consuming high glycemic foods like candy grapes can slow down the absorption of carbohydrates into your bloodstream, which could lower insulin levels and help keep your blood sugar level steady.
The best candy grape recipes for weight loss
- Recipe #1 – Chocolate Candy Grapes Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate melted
- 12 ounces white chocolate chopped into small pieces
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar + 1 Tablespoon
- 15 drops green food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step 1 – Melt all ingredients except for the vanilla in a microwave safe bowl on low power until fully melted.
Step 2 – Add vanilla and stir well so that everything mixes evenly.
Step 3 – Pour mixture onto wax paper and let cool for about 5 minutes before transferring to a plate to harden.
- Recipe #2 – Strawberry Candy Grape Recipe Ingredients:
- 2 cups strawberries sliced
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped into small pieces
- 1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step 1 – Place berries and marshmallows in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Stir frequently until the marshmallows begin to melt.
Step 2 – Once the marshmallows are completely melted add honey and mix well.
Continue stirring occasionally until the honey has dissolved.
- Recipe #3 – Blackberry Candy Grape Recipe Ingredients:
- 5 blackberries
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 7 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped into small pieces
- 2 Cups boiling water
- 1/2 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step 1 – Combine blackberries and marshmallows in a blender until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2 – Meanwhile bring the hot water to boil in a pan.
Remove from heat and add sugar, stirring until it dissolves.
Let sit for 10 minutes until cooled.
Add vanilla and pour over blackberry puree.
- Recipe #4 – Raspberry Candy Grape Recipe Ingredients:
- 6 raspberries
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 11 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped into small pieces
- 2 Cups boiling water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step 1 – Blend together all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Transfer to a shallow dish and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
- Recipe #5 – Blueberry Candy Grape Recipe Ingredients:
- 10 fresh blueberries
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 9 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped into small pieces
- 2 Cups boiling water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Step 1 – Wash and dry blueberries thoroughly.
Slice into halves or quarters depending on size. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
Pour out onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and transfer to refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Recipe #6 – Banana Candy Grape Recipe Ingredients:
- 4 bananas
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered milk
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
Step 1 – Peel bananas by slicing off the ends and cutting lengthwise along each side.
Separate banana slices by pulling apart peel and flesh.
Cut banana into smaller bite sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2 – Heat half of the butter in a sauté pan until melted. Toss in remaining ingredients to coat bananas.
- Recipe #7 – Mango Candy Grape Recipe Ingredients:
- 6 mangoes
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup powdered milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
Step 1 – Wash and cut mangoes into bite sized pieces.
Blanching mangoes briefly in boiling water will soften the skin and make peeling easier.
After removing mangoes from boiling water, run under cold running water to stop cooking process.
Step 2 – Bring sugar, cream, butter, milk, and salt to a simmer in a heavy bottomed pot.
Cook over medium low heat until sugar melts.
Step 3 – As soon as sugar melts remove from heat and gently fold in peeled mangoes.
Transfer to a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Are Candy Grapes Vegan?
The short answer to this question is yes.
Candy grape vines are made from organic cane sugar and other natural ingredients like fruit juice concentrate and corn syrup, which means you don’t have to worry about them being made with any animal products.
However, there is a slight difference between candy grapes and regular fresh grapes.
The process used to make these unique candies requires sugar syrups and citric acid.
Sugar syrups contain both sucrose (the same form of sugar found in fruits) and fructose (a type of sugar).
Fructose has been linked to weight gain in studies, so it’s important to note that eating too many candied grapes could lead to weight issues.
What Are Some Alternative Recipes For Candy Grapes?
The best way to enjoy candy grapes is by making them yourself from scratch.
However, if you don’t have time to make them yourself, there are plenty of great alternatives available online. Here are a few options:
- Sweet Grape Candy Recipe – This homemade grape candy recipe uses agar flakes to create a light and airy texture without using any eggs. Plus it only requires one pot and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
- Gluten Free Candy Grapes – These gluten free candied grapes are made from brown rice syrup instead of corn syrup which makes them suitable for people who follow a gluten free diet.
- Chocolate Chip Stuffed Grapes – If you like chocolate chip cookies, then these stuffed grapes will definitely appeal to you. They use dark cocoa powder to give them a rich chocolate taste and include chopped almonds too.
- Homemade Fruit Roll Ups – The fruit roll ups contain no sugar so they’re more healthy than traditional versions. You can even serve them right out of the oven for dessert!
- Pumpkin Pie Muffins – Pumpkin pie muffins are baked into cute little cups filled with whipped cream cheese frosting. It’s almost impossible not to love these tasty muffins.
- Grapefruit & Mint Juleps – This cocktail combines two citrus fruits (grapefruit and mint) with bourbon whiskey. It’s refreshing and easy to drink too.
- Peanut Butter Fudge Balls – These fudge balls are a great snack to satisfy cravings between meals. And because they’re peanut butter based, they’re allergy friendly too.
- Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding – Banana bread pudding is a classic breakfast dish but it works well as a decadent afternoon treat too. Just add whipped cream for extra creamy goodness.
- Brown Sugar Caramel Chex Mix – This caramel chex mix has a hint of spice thanks to cinnamon chips and nutmeg. Perfect for snacking throughout the day.
- Frozen Lemon Raspberry Swirls – Frozen lemon raspberries are dipped in a lemony custard sauce before being rolled in crushed graham crackers. A simple yet unique treat that everyone will love.
What Are Some Other Ways To Eat Candy Grapes?
You might think you’ve tried everything there is to do with candy grapes, but I bet you haven’t even tried these alternatives yet!
Here are a few fun ideas to enjoy candy grapes without having to make them yourself – just like the pros do.
- Candy grapes with chocolate sauce: Use a spoon to dip both halves of each grape into melted bittersweet chocolate before popping it back together. You could put them in small bowls and serve them like traditional candied fruits.
- Candy grapes with mint jelly: Melt one part mint jelly per half cup of water (or use store bought). Dip the bottom of each half of the grape into the mixture then place it back together. This is a great twist on classic candy grapes.
- Candy grapes with cheese spread: Spread cream cheese onto bread slices, top with sliced strawberries, then cover in powdered sugar. Place candied grapes on top and bake until slightly golden brown. Serve warm.
- Candy grapes with caramel apples: Cut apples into quarters, remove seeds and core, then coat each apple quarter with a thin layer of honey mustard dressing. Sprinkle each apple section with shredded coconut and then add three candy grapes to each piece. Bake until lightly glazed.
- Candy grapes dipped in dark chocolate: Make sure to get rid of any stems and leave only two sides attached. Fill a piping bag with chocolate ganache and pipe the filling around the center of each grape. Let set for about 15 minutes before serving.
- Candy grapes dipped in white chocolate: Prepare similar to above except fill a piping bag with white chocolate instead of ganache.
Equipment
- 1 20-25 Skewers
- candy thermometer
- parchment paper or silicon ma
Ingredients
- 20-25 grapes dried
- 2 cup white sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- white gel food coloring
- other gel colors of your choice
- 2 teaspoon flavored oil
Instructions
- Use a fruit wash or simply soak your grapes for 5 minutes in water with a dash of white vinegar to give them a thorough cleaning. Dry them fully after a thorough rinse.
- Each grape should be skewered, then placed aside.
- Stir the sugar, water, and corn syrup together in a sauce pan.
- Insert the candy thermometer and heat the saucepan to medium-high to high.The thermometer's point should only be in the sugar mixture and not the pan's bottom. Cook until the thermometer reads 300° (without stirring).
- Take the saucepan off the fire as soon as the mixture reaches 300°. Add your seasoning and a few drops of the white coloring while stirring.
- Add 3–4 drops of your gel colors after that, then stir with a spoon or skewer.It's entirely up to you if you want to use more than two colors or one solid color.
- Each grape on a skewer should be dipped into the mixture and spun to evenly coat it. If you'd like, sprinkle the roll after letting the excess drop off.
- Dip each skewered grape into the mixture while you spin the grape to coat it fully. Let the excess drip off and roll in sprinkles if desired.
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