The grape is the fruit obtained from the vine. It is a juicy, rounded berry that grows in bunches and is used in different ways.
It should be noted that the plant that is part of the Vitaceae family is known as a vine. The color of its fruits can be green, purple, black or other colors depending on the variety, and this is related to the flavor and other characteristics. Each bunch can have anywhere from six to several hundred grapes. In regions with a Mediterranean climate, it is common for the grape to be harvested in early autumn or late summer. In America, the main grape producers are the United States, Argentina and Chile. If we focus on the European continent, the largest producers are Spain, France and Italy.
Much of the grape production is used to make wine, which is obtained from the fermentation of the must. The grape is also consumed fresh and even as a dried fruit (in this case it is called a raisin). Choosing the best grapes is not difficult, but their flavor and the benefits they can bring us depend a lot on this first step. Your skin should be an even color, without blemishes, and its texture should be smooth and plump. On the other hand, each type of grape must have a certain color to be considered fresh, which can be difficult to remember given the confusion with the names of the varieties: for example, the green grape must have a slightly yellowish appearance. Let’s see some of the benefits of grapes: * Helps fight hypertension as it contains antioxidants and potassium. It is recommended to consume it at breakfast for ten consecutive days, either in natural form or in the form of juice; * protects and strengthens the hair. For this it is necessary to use the oil extracted from the grape and apply a few drops on the scalp after bathing. This same product is also recommended to treat acne and moisturize the skin; * keeps the liver healthy and helps detoxify and purify the body; * It is a good remedy against stress, since its antioxidants fight free radicals. Despite offering so many beneficial properties for health, grapes should not be consumed in excess, as they have a laxative effect. On the other hand, it is important to make sure you do not have allergies for which they are contraindicated or that you are taking any medication whose effect may interfere, such as those used to combat liver diseases and those used to regulate blood coagulation. . Diabetics should also be moderate when eating this fruit, as it contains sugars.
Grapes are associated with various traditions and symbolism. In Spain, for example, there is a tradition of taking twelve grapes to say goodbye to the New Year, and this is known as “the twelve lucky grapes”; each grape must be consumed at the same time that each clock strikes zero, the beginning of a new year. Although this tradition seems to have started in 1909 in Alicante, to take advantage of the surplus of a harvest, there is evidence that the Spanish bourgeoisie ate grapes and toasted with champagne on New Year’s Eve since the previous century. The Greek god Dionysus, on the other hand, is usually represented with a race of grapes in his hand. Mythology indicates that Dionysus was the creator of viticulture (the discipline dedicated to the cultivation of vines to obtain grapes that allow the production of wine).