A grape is a fruiting berry of the deciduous woody vines of the botanical genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making wine, jam, juice, jelly, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar and grape seed oil. The cultivation of the domesticated grape began in the Near East. The earliest archeological evidence for a dominant position of wine-making in human culture was in Georgia (the country). During an extensive gene-mapping project, archaeologists analyzed the heritage of more than 110 modern grape cultivars, and narrowed their origin to a region in Georgia, where wine residues were also discoverd on the inner surfaces of ancient ceramic storage jars.
- Grapes grow in clusters of 15 to 300, and can be crimson, black, dark blue, yellow, green, orange and pink. "White" grapes are actually green in color, and are evolutionarily derived from the purple grape. Mutations in two regulatory genes of white grapes turn off production of anthocyanins, which are responsible for the color of the purple grape.
- According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 75,866 square kilometers of the world are dedicated to grapes. Approximately 71% of world grape production is used for wine, 27% as fresh fruit and 2% as dried fruit. A portion of grape production goes to making grape juice to be reconstituted for fruits canned 'with no added sugar' and '100% natural.' The area dedicated to vineyards is increasing by about 2% every year.
- In 2012, world-wide production of grapes equaled 67,067,128 metric tons.
- Comparing diets among Western countries, researchers have discovered that although the French tend to eat higher levels of animal fat, the incidence of heart disease remains low. This phenomenon has been termed the French paradox, and is thought to occur from protective benefits of regularly consuming red wine.
- Grape therapy, also known as amplelotherapy, is a form of naturopathic medicine or alternative medicine that involves heavy consumption of grapes, including seeds, and parts of the vine, including leaves.
The blackcurrant is a woody shrub in the family Grossulariaceae grown for its piquant berries. It is native to temperate parts of central and northern Europe, and northern Asia, where it prefers damp fertile soils and is widely cultivated both commercially and domestically. It is winter hardy but cold weather at flowering time during the spring reduces the size of the crop. Bunches of small, glossy black fruit develop along the stems in summer, and can be harvested by hand or by machine. The fruit is rich in Vitamin C, various other nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants. Blackcurrants can be eaten raw but are usually cooked in a variety of sweet or savoury dishes. They are used to make jams, jellies and syrups, and are grown commerically for the juice market.
- There are many cultivars of blackcurrant. Baldwin was the mainstay of the industry for many years but it has now largely been superseded by more productive and disease-resistant varieties. During the 20th century in Europe, much hybridisation work has been carried out in order to reduce the plant's susceptibility to disease and frost to increase yields.
- It was cultivated in Russia by the 11th century when it was present in monastery gardens and also grown in towns and settlements.
- During WWII, most fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, became difficult to obtain in the UK. Since blackcurrant berries are a rich source of the vitamin and are suitable for growing in the UK climate, the British Government encouraged their cultivation. From 1942 onwards, blackcurrant syrup was distributed free of charge to children under the age of 2. In Britain the commercial crop is completely mechanised, and about 1,400 hectares of the fruit are grown, mostly under contract to the juicing industry.
- Blackcurrants were once popular in the United States as well, but became less common in the 20th century after currant farming was banned in the early 1900s, when blackcurrants were considered a threat to the US logging industry. The federal ban on growing currants was shifted to jurisdiction of individual states in 1966, and was lifted in New York State in 2003 through the efforts of horticulturist Greg Quinn. As a result, currant growing is making a comeback in New York, Vermont, Connecticut and Oregon. However, several statewide bans still exist including Maine, New Hampshire, Virginia and Massachusetts.
- In Europe the leaves have traditionally been used for arthritis, spasmodic cough, diarrhea, as a diuretic and for treating a sore throat. The berries were made into a drink thought to be beneficial for treatment of colds and flu, and other fevers. In traditional Austrian medicine, these fruits have been used internally (consumed whole or as a syrup) for treatment of infections and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the locomotor system, the respiratory tract and the cardiovascular system.
- Blackcurrant seed oil is an ingredient in cosmetics preparations, often in combination with vitamin E. The leaves can be extracted to yield a yellow dye and the fruit is a source for a blue or violet dye. The leaves have been used to assist in keeping vegetables fresh.