What Are Cotton Candy Grapes? (and where to buy them!)

What are cotton candy grapes? How are cotton candy grapes made? What do they taste like? Are they natural? In this article I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about cotton candy grapes!

Cotton candy grapes actually taste like cotton candy!

It may be hard to believe, but cotton candy grapes really do taste like cotton candy! And if you haven’t tried them yet, this is your sign to go grab some from the store as soon as they are in season! 

I was so surprised the first time that I tried them. They have the perfect crisp texture like normal green grapes, a perfect sweetness, but they also taste just like real cotton candy! And no, they don’t contain any artificial flavors!

If you’re like me and you haven’t had cotton candy since you were a kid, it really brings you back down memory lane! I remember going to baseball games growing up and always getting a treat like cotton candy! These cotton candy grapes are the perfect healthy, nostalgic treat.

So where do they come from? How did they come to be? Are they natural? Are they healthy? Where can I buy them?

In this article I’m gonna go through all the things you need to know. And also give you some great recipes to try at the end!

What are cotton candy grapes?

Cotton candy grapes are grapes that actually taste like cotton candy! They are a relatively new variety of seedless table grapes that have a unique and exciting flavor unlike any other grape. Cotton candy grapes are a hybrid grape that was developed in the mid 2000s by fruit geneticist and horticulturalist David Cain.

These cotton candy flavored grapes were first introduced to the market in 2011 by a California-based company called Grapery and have since gained popularity for their distinctive, sweet candy flavor. This designer fruit has become a social media sensation and has developed a huge fan base over the past decade!

How are cotton candy grapes made?

So, how do they make cotton candy grapes? Cotton candy grapes are a hybrid of two grape varieties: a concord grape variety and the Princess grape (Vitis vinifera). This particular concord grape tastes like cotton candy, but the texture is too soft to market as table grapes. 

David Cain cross-bred this soft concord grape with the hearty, firm Princess grape (V. vinifera) to get the perfect juicy, crisp, green grape that tastes just like cotton candy. 

David Cain is a grape breeder and arguably the best in the world! He identifies unique genetic variations in grapes, then uses traditional breeding techniques to create new varieties of grapes via cross-pollination. All with one goal in mind: taste! 

In the lab, Cain and his team cross-pollinate thousands of different varieties by hand and test the results to see which ones produce great flavors. 

How were cotton candy grapes created? 

The story of the cotton candy grape begins in 2001, when David Cain co-founded International Fruit Genetics (IFG). He attended a trade show that same year and tasted a peculiar concord grape that started it all. The grape tasted like cotton candy! 

The only issue: the texture. It was fragile, soft, and the skin was weak (it was a slip-skin variety, meaning the skin separates easily from the flesh). He knew it was not ready for the table grape market, but was inspired to create a grape that was. He spent the next decade experimenting to create the perfect cotton candy grape to bring into the market. 

Around 2005, the cotton candy grape was created by crossbreeding the soft cotton candy flavored concord grape from the Eastern United States and the crisp, green Princess grape from California. 

In 2010, the cotton candy grape was patented and IFG began licensing it to grape growers in the United States. The most notable of those growers is called Grapery.

The first cotton candy grapes were produced by Grapery and came to the market in limited quantities in 2011. 

Are cotton candy grapes natural? How are new grape varieties made?

To make new grape varieties in the lab, the plants are fertilized, then the male and female cells create a zygote. The zygote divides and grows into an embryo. The embryos are then transferred to individual test tubes to grow into seedlings. 

Those test tube plants can then be planted in the vineyard when they are large enough. After all that, the scientists must wait for the plant to grow to maturity and produce fruit that they can then taste. The whole process is lengthy and can take anywhere from 8-15 years.

While it sounds rather unnatural, the whole process of cross-breeding actually mimics what happens in nature and these grapes are not genetically modified.  

Grapery: the cotton candy grape growers in California

Grapery is a grape grower that produces cotton candy grapes and many other exciting grape flavors! The company was founded by Jack Pandol and Jim Beagle in northern California in 1996. 

All of the Grapery grapes are produced in the beautiful San Joaquin Valley just outside of San Francisco. This river basin is perfect for growing juicy, flavorful grapes due to its abundant sunshine and fertile soil. 

Grapery is all about the fun flavors. Over the years, commercial table grape production has focused on grapes that are big, juicy, crisp, and that hold up during shipping. Unfortunately, there has been a war on flavor in that process and, in terms of flavor, we have been left with some pretty mediocre grapes in our refrigerators. 

Grapery is on a mission to change that. Just like there are an array of flavors of apples, there are also many different flavors of grapes! They just usually need a little tweaking to make them ready for the table grape market. They need to be sturdier and have a crisp skin.

Just imagine going to the grocery store and shopping for grapes like you do now for different kinds of apples! For every pink lady, granny smith, envy, gala, and fuji, there could be grapes like cotton candy, tear drops, flavor pops, and gum drop grapes! 

Some of Grapery’s most popular grape varieties include the Cotton Candy grape, which has a sweet, cotton candy-like flavor, and Moon Drops, which have a unique elongated shape and a sweet, juicy taste. Grapery also grows other specialty grape varieties, such as the Flavor Promise, Tear Drops, and Gum Drops, among others in limited quantities.

Grapery markets their sweet grapes as a premium product and their grapes are sold through various retailers and distributors throughout the United States.

Cultivation of cotton candy grapes

Cotton candy grapes are grown in northern California, where the climate is ideal for grape cultivation. These green grapes are typically harvested in late summer to early fall.

One of the reasons that cotton candy grapes are so popular is that they are easy to grow. They require the same care as other grape varieties and do not need any special treatment or special product packaging. 

The grapes are grown using traditional methods, including trellising and pruning. Since cotton candy grapes are seedless, they aren’t able to reproduce naturally. They need a little help, which is where the farmers and the greenhouse come in. 

In order to make new cotton candy grape plants, they are propagated via planting cuttings from the original hybrid plant. These cuttings are grown in a greenhouse and then planted in the vineyard when they are large enough. 

In more simple terms, a portion of the grapevine is cut off when it’s in its dormant stage in the winter. That stick is trimmed down and planted in a pot with nutrient-dense soil, then watered and allowed to grow in the greenhouse for many months until it matures (approximately 4-6 months). After that it can be planted in the vineyard. 

Grapery’s grapes are grown using sustainable farming practices and the company emphasizes their commitment to environmentally friendly farming. Grapery prides itself on producing high-quality, flavorful grapes that are both visually and texturally appealing. 

Developing new fruits like cotton candy grapes takes a lot of time and effort with about a decade of time needed to bring them from idea to market production.

Flavor of cotton candy grapes

The most notable aspect of cotton candy grapes is their flavor. They are sweet with very little tartness at all. As the name suggests, the flavor profile of these grapes is a sweet, cotton candy-like taste. The flavor is often described as a cross between cotton candy and a traditional table grape. 

The grapes have a unique aroma that is similar to cotton candy, and the taste is unmistakable. The grapes are crisp and juicy, and they have a thin skin that is easy to bite through. They have a vanilla flavor that is just insane! This vanilla-like flavor is actually what makes them taste more like cotton candy and less like fruit. 

One of the reasons that cotton candy grapes are so popular is that they offer a healthy alternative to traditional candy and junk food. The grapes and their natural flavors are a great option for those who are looking for a sweet treat without the added grams of sugar and calories.

Are cotton candy grapes healthy? (cotton candy grapes calories)

Cotton candy grapes offer several health benefits. Like other table grape varieties, they are a good source of vitamins and antioxidants. The grapes contain high levels of vitamin C, which is essential for immune health. They are also rich in flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that can help protect the body against free radicals.

In addition to their nutritional value, cotton candy grapes are low in calories. They contain about 80 calories per cup, which is significantly less than most other candy and sweet treats. This makes them a great option for those who are trying to maintain a healthy weight or manage their blood sugar levels, in moderation of course.

Cotton candy grapes do have slightly more sugar in them than common grapes. Cotton candy grapes have about 20% sugar content compared to 17% in normal table grapes. There are about 70 calories and about 15g of sugar per 100 grams of grapes.

This being said, the sugar content of cotton candy grapes is definitely not a reason to avoid them! Each sweet bite is just heavenly! And much healthier than eating candy or other junk food!

Where to buy cotton candy grapes 

Cotton candy grapes are sold all over the US but come straight from California. So, you’ll find plenty of them in the great state of California and across the West Coast. But really they can be found almost anywhere in the US at your local supermarket!

These yummy grapes are available at Sprouts, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target, Albertsons companies, Kroger, Publix, HEB, Stop&Shop, Wegmans, Giant, Harris Teeter, Meijer, Shop Rite, Tom Thumb, The Fresh Market, Sam’s Club, and other specialty stores. 

If you can’t find this delicious species of grape at your local grocery store, just ask the manager if they can order them! You’d be surprised at how often this works! 

If you can’t find them at your local store, you can also buy them online! Just check out Melissa’s Produce and order when they are in season! They have a variety of different grape varieties and are sure to have what you’re looking for, as long as they are in season. Growing seasons can vary by grape and region.

When are cotton candy grapes in season?

Cotton candy grapes season is usually at the end of the summer when the grapes are perfectly ripe, juicy, and have their most intense flavor.

In the United States, cotton candy grapes are usually available mid-August through September. However, this can vary by year depending on the weather. Some years you won’t find them in stores until early September. 

However, with the expansion of cotton candy grape growers globally across different climates (covered in the next section), cotton candy grapes can sometimes be found outside of this short season.

Are cotton candy grapes available outside of the United States? 

Cotton candy grapes can be found in season throughout North America, Europe, and parts of Central and South America.

Cotton candy grapes are primarily grown and marketed in the United States by Grapery. However, many other grape growers worldwide have also begun growing them in recent years.  

Some other international cotton candy grape growers include Moyca (based in Spain), Molina Group (based in Mexico), Divine Flavor (based in Mexico and USDA certified organic), Dulcinea (grown in Spain), Red Dragon (grown in Peru), Terra Sur (grown in Peru), Safco (grown in Peru), Oppy (grown in Brazil), and Flavor Grown (grown in Brazil).

It’s best to check with local grocery stores or specialty produce markets to see if they carry cotton candy grapes or if they can order them for you.

What is cross-breeding?

Cross-breeding involves taking the pollen from one grape variety and fertilizing the flowers of another variety to create a hybrid grape. The resulting hybrid will have qualities of both parent grapes.

This process allows for the creation of new grape varieties with unique flavors and traits. This is different from genetic engineering, which basically changes the DNA of a fruit using genes from other fruit. Cotton candy grapes are non-GMO!

These hybrids are then grown in the field, where they are evaluated for desirable traits such as taste, texture, and appearance. 

Once the new grape variety is deemed suitable for commercial production, it is propagated by planting cuttings from the original hybrid plant.

This process can take several years to develop a new grape variety, but it is a natural and safe method of breeding plants.

Some great recipes to try using cotton candy grapes

Cotton candy grapes are great on their own, but are also amazing to use in recipes! Here are some of my favorites! 

1. Cotton candy grape sorbet (only 3 ingredients and no ice cream machine required!)
2. Cotton candy grape tanghulu – how to make candied grapes
3. Cotton candy drunken grapes (21+)

Cotton candy grape wine

If you’re wondering if cotton candy grape wine is a thing, the answer is sadly not really. Grapery co-founder Jim Beagle reports that they actually tried making wine with cotton candy grapes and it didn’t taste great.

If you search on Google, you can actually find cotton candy wine from a few small wineries. However, it seems as though none are made using cotton candy grapes themselves and are instead made with other grape varieties. If you’re a fan of sweet wines they might be worth a try!

That being said, I do think that cotton candy grapes would be great in homemade kombucha! When you make kombucha at home you can choose whatever fruit purée you like and I’m guessing cotton candy grape purée would make for some delicious kombucha!

FAQ

Conclusion

Cotton candy grapes are a delicious and healthy snack that has become a popular choice among fruit lovers. They offer a unique flavor that is reminiscent of cotton candy, and they are easy to grow and cultivate. They are a good source of vitamins and antioxidants and are low in calories, making them a great alternative to traditional candy and sweet treats. Whether you are a grape enthusiast or just looking for a healthy snack, cotton candy grapes are definitely worth trying!