Dave's Pick of the Week - Menindee White Seedless Grapes
'Menindee seedless' refers to the variety of grape, not where the grapes come from. At this time and for the next few weeks, they come from Emerald and then the St George area. In January, we will begin to source from down south. In all the years I have bought grapes, I have never seen Queensland grapes of this fantastic quality. The variety is not really popular in export markets - in fact, we don’t really export grapes until the Southern fruit starts.
Right now we are getting whites, reds and black grape varieties from Emerald. They are not as uniformly shaped as the Southern fruit but that is completely irrelevant as to how this fruit eats. I am loving them this year and love the fact that they are all Australian and picked fresh and shipped daily to us in Sydney. To me, the whites are by far the best of the three varieties, but that is a matter of taste!
HOW TO PICK
When buying grapes, choose firm, plump clusters that are securely attached to their stems. Stems should be green and fresh. Check for the silvery coating or natural bloom that protects the fruit’s freshness.
HOW TO STORE
To keep grapes fresh, store them in an airtight container or in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge. If eaten slightly chilled, they will be slightly crispier. For longer lasting grapes, always rinse them just before use.
