The Untold Truth Of Witch Finger Grapes
You might be used to just choosing between red and green grapes at the grocery store, but if you pay attention to the produce section, you might occasionally see a few unusual varieties. Cotton candy grapes are one popular variety that usually appears in stores at the end of the summer, but they still look like traditional grapes (via Eat Like No One Else). Witch finger grapes, on the other hand, look completely unlike any grape we're used to seeing.
Their slightly creepy name comes from their shape; instead of small and round, witch finger grapes are long and thin, ending in a point (via Eat Like No One Else). Basically, they're shaped just like a finger with a pointed nail on the end. Usually, if you see them in stores, they'll have a dark purple-ish red color, though the Grapery, the company that developed witch finger grapes, has also worked to develop a green variety. But while their unique shape might be what catches your eye first, there are plenty of other reasons to give witch finger grapes a try.
They usually have better flavor than traditional round grapes
If you've just been buying traditional grapes at the store, you're seriously missing out. According to Bon Appetit, witch finger grapes tend to taste sweeter than the round grapes you're used to. Apparently, grocery stores want grapes with the longest shelf life possible, so farmers are usually pressured to harvest grapes early before they're completely ripe. However, witch finger grapes aren't harvested until they're ripe, which gives them a sweeter flavor, but it also means that they aren't as readily available, and usually only appear on shelves at the end of the summer.
In addition to their sweetness, according to Specialty Produce, witch finger grapes taste a little like a plum. They have a crisp texture, and you'll notice a bit of a snap when you bite into one. Witch finger grapes are also seedless, so you can enjoy them for a snack without accidentally eating any pesky seeds.
They've had several different names
Though they've only been around for a few years, witch finger grapes have already gone by several different names. First released in 2013, witch finger grapes were originally known as chili pepper grapes because of their strong resemblance to the peppers. However, kids weren't big fans of the name and weren't willing to try the grapes because of it (rest assured though, despite their original name, they don't have any spicy flavor).
This led to the Grapery changing the name to witch finger grapes, which is a little spookier than chili pepper grapes; however, the witch finger moniker wasn't exactly a hit with customers either. In an interview with Bon Appetit, the CEO and co-owner of the Grapery, Jim Beagle, explained that some members of a test group for the grapes were so put off by the name "witch fingers" that they didn't even want to try them.
Now, if you go looking for witch finger grapes, you're more likely to find them under their new name, "Tear Drop" grapes. They're the same sweet, oddly-shaped grape they've always been, they've just had to undergo a few name changes to make them a little less creepy and more appealing to grocery shoppers. If you spot them in the supermarket, no matter name they have, take a chance on trying them — you'll be surprised at how flavorful and delicious they are!