The delicious grape season has arrived. Compared to the past, there are now many more varieties of grapes, making the world of grapes even more enjoyable. We will introduce the different types of grapes, their production areas, and delicious ways to eat them.
History of Grapes in Japan
Grapes were introduced to Japan during the Nara period. It is said that they were transmitted from their place of origin in the Middle East to ancient Europe, then to China, and finally introduced to Japan from the Tang Dynasty via the Silk Road. In the second year of Yoro, the high priest Gyoki, who traveled around various places, is said to have established a medicinal garden at Daizenji Temple on Kashiwao Mountain in Katsunuma, Kai Province (now Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture) and cultivated grapes from Western Asia.
Types and Production Areas of Grapes
Currently, over 100 varieties of grapes are cultivated in Japan. Among them, grapes are broadly classified into three categories: red, green, and black. Representative red varieties include the delicately sweet “Delaware” and “Kaiji”, the popular sweet green “Shine Muscat” and the refreshing “Seto Giants”, and the black “Kyoho” and the recently popular sweet and rich “Nagano Purple”.
Recent Grape Trends (Recent Varieties)
Grape breeding has advanced, and grapes like “Nagano Purple”, which can be considered an evolution of Kyoho, “Shine Muscat”, which is said to be an evolution of Muscat, and “Sunny Rouge”, which was born from the crossbreeding of black varieties, have become very popular in recent years. There are also many delicious processed products such as yogurts and sweets. Furthermore, the next evolutionary grapes to look forward to include the black “Black Beat”, a crossbreed of Fujiminori and Pione, the uniquely shaped green “Pittero Bianco” from Italy, and the heart-shaped red “My Heart”.
Pleasant Effects of Grapes
Grape anthocyanins have a strong antioxidant effect, which helps prevent aging of the eyes and body. Polyphenols have a relaxing effect, help prevent arteriosclerosis, remove harmful substances such as reactive oxygen species, and have anti-aging effects. Organic acids have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, and minerals play a role in maintaining normal nerves and muscles. Grapes are a wonderful ingredient that works in multiple ways, such as the strong antioxidant effect of grapes, the beauty and whitening effect of proanthocyanidins, and the diet effect of tartaric acid.
Knowing the history, varieties, and effects of grapes, we hope you’ll want to try them! Grapes and their products are sometimes on sale at a bargain, so if you want to try these grapes, be sure to check out the bargain corner of the supermarket and products that are slightly damaged as part of food loss prevention measures! We hope all our readers can enjoy the delicious seasonal grapes!
Reference Sites (Japanese only, as of September 4, 2023)
