Your favorite grape variety is back in season in the spring time with Cotton Candy grapes from Mexico. Find out where to find them in 2020. And yes, they really do taste like Cotton Candy!
Despite our expectation that nowadays we can go to the local supermarket and buy anything no matter what time of year it is, that simply is not true.
While bananas, broccoli, apples, lemons, limes, etc. may be available 24/365 that are many things that have a very short window.
Some of my favorite fruits are only available a small portion of the year. Such as Cotton Candy grapes.
The growers of Cotton Candy grapes, Grapery estimates their availability to be August 10 to September 20 - a small portion of the year. However that window has be widening.
Other grape growers have been licensed to grow Cotton Candy grapes in other countries. That is why now in May, I can go to the store and get a bag of Cotton Candy grapes
Where are these Cotton Candy grapes from?
Mexico.
Don't worry these aren't fake Cotton Candy grapes, they're the real thing.
How Do Mexican Cotton Candy Grapes Compare?
A lot of people have a negative viewpoint when it comes to Mexican grown produce. The most shocking thing is that people even reject organically grown Mexican produce that was certified organic by the USDA, the same people who certify US grown produce.
I think Mexico is given a bad rap. There are a lot of things done in our country with growing produce that may be just as bad or worse than what people think is going on in Mexico (don't forget the United States is home to Monsanto and their GMO seeds).
Without Mexican produce our grocery store shelves would look a lot emptier especially in the winter months.
Whatever thoughts you have about Mexican produce, let's put them aside and just talk about these Cotton Candy grapes.
How Long Have They Available?
The 2015 grape growing season was the first commercial crop from Mexico. These Cotton Candy grapes you see in the photo above are Mexico, grown by the Molina Group
When they first started selling them the vines are young and they are new to growing the variety we have to have reasonable expectations.
My Review
When I tried the Mexican Cotton Candy grapes for the first time, I did have a bit of a letdown. Yes they still had that Cotton Candy flavor, but it was not consistent throughout the bag. Some grapes were even sour.
Grapery CEO Jim Beagle said that this inconsistency is expected in young vines, they experienced the same when they were starting out and that he is hopeful that we will see dramatic improvements in the future. As of 2020, I can say that I believe the grapes are tasting better.
Their breeder has worked for years to establish relationship with quality growers in other countries, so Jim trusted that the Molina group will produce a quality product.
If you bought the grapes and felt they weren't as good as you remember, don't let it change your opinion on the variety. Make sure to give the Mexican ones a chance again. And rest assure come early August, Grapery will have their offering ready for you!
Organic Grown
Divine Flavor is also growing Cotton Candy grapes and they are certified organic by the USDA. Look out for them as well where you buy organic grapes.
I have heard they have been spotted before at Sprouts Farmers Market stores
RELATED - How Do They Make Grapes Taste Like Cotton Candy?
From Other Countries
Besides Mexico several other countries will be producing Cotton Candy grapes.
The following countries will produce grapes that will likely end up in the US : Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil.
A few other countries will produce grapes but they won't likely end up on U.S. soil : Spain, Italy, Australia, and South Africa.
Where To Find Mexican Cotton Candy Grapes?
They are very limited in supply right now and I don't have any current listings of stores.
It's good to check the normal places that you have found them in year's past as I would assume they would be more likely to carry the Mexican grown ones.
I have also seen the Mexican grown Cotton Candy grapes in stores that have not carried the Grapery grapes before like Costco and Trader Joe's.
Here is a list of stores you'll want to check. They have been confirmed sightings at these stores in 2020.
- Kroger
- Costco
- Trader Joe's
- Meijer
- Ron's Supermarket
- Aldi
- Manteca Foods
- Whole Foods Market
- Sam's Club
- Kirkwood Farmer's Market
- Four Seasons Produce
- Harmon's Grocery
- Sprouts
- Chuck's Produce'
- Wegmans
- Publix
Finding them at a store not mention. Leave a comment below, sharing the store and it's location.
I have to disagree in regards to consistent taste in 2019....I have bought 3 bags in the last week at Kroger and very few of the grapes tasted like cotton candy. Thankfully they were on sale as these are some of the most expensive grapes out there. I have bought from other stores and they have been great, unfortunately I wasn’t paying attention to brands at that time.
Nothing still beats the Cotton Candy grapes from Grapery. It won't be long now!
Everyone thinks their GMO. I’ve gotten so many message about it form social media. I wonder if any of these people have grown or had the ability to finish and clone a plant and do some selective breeding. Munching on a candy store grape tonight. The cotton candy ones in the fridge. There’s more then these kind too. People need to get out more and prob need to eat more fruits and vegetables anyway. Blessing fam. ?