Is it possible to freeze grapes for the winter and TOP 4 ways at home
Often in the winter you want to taste some summer vegetables or fruits. Grapes, which are harvested from August to early autumn, are no exception. In addition to the taste, every culinary specialist would like to preserve the beneficial properties of the berry. Most summer fruits, when placed in the freezer for the winter, do not lose their qualities, but is it still possible to freeze grapes? It is worth understanding this issue.
Can grapes be frozen?
Like many summer delicacies, this product does not lose its taste or useful qualities in the freezer. Direct evidence of this: in cold regions, with a sharp decrease in temperatures, berries remain the same attractive to various species of birds. Someone thinks that freezing grapes is an extra fuss in the kitchen, because you can easily buy greenhouse fruits, berries, vegetables in supermarkets.
However, fresh frozen food retains all the vitamin C it is so rich in. Artificially grown specimens cannot boast of this quality. In addition to the fact that frozen berries can please a family in winter with their “summer” taste, excellent compotes and fruit drinks can be cooked from these grapes.
Which varieties are suitable?
When choosing grapes for freezing, you should pay attention to varieties that have a thick skin, and the texture of the berries themselves is quite dense. Often these are dark table varieties. Their properties make it possible to preserve the original state of the grapes, even after prolonged freezing. Also, quite often experienced housewives opt for raisins. The berries of this variety are large enough, and the absence of seeds makes the process of using a summer product in winter even more pleasant.
Selection and preparation of berries
When buying grapes on the market or in a store, your choice must be based on the beauty, as well as the size of the berries. It will be useful to try the product before purchasing a large quantity of the product.
You need to be a little more careful when harvesting directly from a branch in the garden.
This procedure is best done in the second half of September, when it is dry and clear. Moisture on the fruit can spoil the product when frozen.
It is necessary to cut the brushes very carefully, making sure that the berries do not crack or wrinkle. The damaged ones should be eaten immediately, left on the wine (if there is a desire to make it), or thrown away.The remaining brushes are carefully laid out in a box or box, covered with paper on top to protect against negative external factors.
Several steps must be taken immediately before the freezing process:
- Rinse brushes under running water, thoroughly removing dirt and dust that may have accumulated during storage.
- Hang them on a rope until water is completely drained and dry.
- Put the grapes in the refrigerator for two hours.
This preliminary preparation is a must for any recipe for freezing. If you skip this stage, then there is a risk of spoilage of the berries and a decrease in the intensity of the taste of the product.
Options for freezing grapes for the winter
It would seem that there is nothing easier than placing the product in the freezer and leaving it there until winter. But in fact, in order for the berries to retain their beneficial properties and primary taste, they must be properly stored. In addition, there are a large number of recipes for freezing grapes, and each housewife must decide which one to choose. You can try different options every winter or cook several at once.
Harvesting in clusters
To prevent grapes frozen in bunches, harvested at home, from spoiling during storage, you must follow some rules:
- Chilled bunches of grapes are laid out on a large platter or tray and left in the freezer for 6-8 hours.
- After the grapes are sorted into packages for further storage. No more than 2-3 brushes (bunches) are placed in one bag.
- Now the product will retain all useful qualities until the moment of its use.
Experienced housewives note that this method is most suitable for berries, from which they then plan to cook compote. It will certainly be a delicious and healthy treat in the middle of a cold winter.
Grape puree
This method requires the most serious time expenditures, since each berry will have to be pitted. Then the grapes are placed in a blender along with sugar and mashed. The ratio of the products is 2: 1. The resulting mass is transferred for storage, sent to freeze.
Freeze in syrup
This method is recommended for light grape varieties. The brushes are prepared using the traditional method. Next, the berries are separated and placed in a bowl for further freezing. Syrup is prepared separately using 2 tbsp. l. water with dissolved 1 tbsp. l. Sahara. The syrup is thoroughly stirred and the berries are poured into the container.
Freeze in sugar
One of the easiest, but no less successful, ways to freeze grapes. Individual berries are thoroughly washed, then placed in a bag. Sugar is also poured here. Then you need to carefully move the "mixture" into a bowl. Thus, the sugar is evenly mixed with the berries, which will not be damaged.
How and how much can you store?
Frozen grapes that are thoroughly cleaned and properly cooked will last all winter. So even in early spring, you can please your loved ones with a summer berry compote. True, if the refrigerator is defrosted, it is better to use the grapes immediately.
Defrosting rules
So that the berries do not lose their taste, it is important to defrost them correctly. The process is carried out in stages. Initially, bags or containers with the product are transferred to the refrigerator for 10-18 hours. Rapid defrosting method: pour warm water over the grapes. True, in this case, the product is immediately consumed.
It is not recommended to place the blanks in the microwave before use. As a result, some of the vitamins are destroyed, as in the case of gradual thawing at room temperature.
