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    Home » Grapes » Gum Drops Grapes

    Gum Drops Grapes

    Published: Aug 11, 2020 · Modified: Oct 5, 2020 by Eric Samuelson

    Cotton Candy grape fans, you got to try Gum Drops. These grapes taste like the sweet, gummy candies they are named after. Find out when you can find them.

    A collage of different types of Gum Drops grapes are on a white backdrop. The words "What are Gum Drops Grapes" appear in the center

    The saying about Grapery should be to expect the unexpected.

    I have had enough of their varieties by now that just about anything is possible.

    And I know every time I encounter a new variety from them that I am going to love it. They have a perfect track record with me so far.

    One of their varieties that I have been waiting to try ever since I knew they existed (found that out during my first Grapery tour ) were the Gum Drops grapes. I love gum drop candies, especially the ones they sell at Whole Foods (when I worked there it was hard not to use my discount on them all the time!)

    Grapery taste tested this grape and people felt it was even better than Cotton Candy grapes. That just really got me excited.

    ? What They Taste Like

    The label on the packaging of Gum Drops grapes says - "Enjoy a gummylicious flavor every time you bite into our new Gum Drop grapes. These tasty luscious jewels are naturally raised and then picked when they reach the peak of flavor". That description is right in every sense. These grapes do immediately remind me of Gum Drops without the sugar crystals on the outside.

    They have a really fruity finish to them.

    Normally only Homer Simpson could would eat those kinds of sweets together (like when he made a giant ball of deep-fried, caramel-covered, cotton candy) but now anyone can enjoy the flavors of these sweet treats and not gain 50 pounds or make themselves sick!

    The light red colored Candy Heart grapes are next to the dark colored Candy Dreams grapes

    Why They Taste Different

    There are multiple varieties of grapes in the Gum Drops line, so they may have slightly different appearances. Both of these grapes bunches in the photo above are Gum Drops. The one on the left is red and the one on the right is black.

    The name of each variety of grape in order in which they ripen are Candy Snaps, Candy Hearts, and Candy Dreams. You may actually see these names in bags/containers from other growers. In fact, ALDI had Candy Heart grapes from Chile during the winter months.

    All of these grapes have a fruity flavor that will make you think of the Gum Drops candy. Let me share the subtle differences between the types.

    Candy Snaps Gum Drops grapes are sitting on a counter in bunches with the bag in the background

    Candy Snaps

    ? Look for them starting in Late July

    These are the earliest ripening Gum Drops. When you see them first hit the stores for the season, they will be these ones.

    They are a small to medium sized grape that have a brilliant red grape color. Their flavor has a strawberry like quality to it.

    Candy Hearts Gum Drops grapes are sitting on a counter in bunches with the bag in the background

    Candy Hearts

    ? Look for them starting in Mid August

    When compared to the Candy Snaps, these grapes are larger in size and have a more muted color with tan undertones. I find these to be the most crisp of the Gum Drops grapes.

    Their flavor has some Muscat elements to it.

    Candy Dreams Gum Drops grapes are sitting on a counter in bunches with the bag in the background

    Candy Dreams

    ? Look for them starting in Late August

    Candy Dreams stand out as they are a black colored grape. Very fruity in flavor like the best grape juice you ever had. These were the first ones I ever had and what made me fall in love with Gum Drops grapes.

    I was able to find Candy Dreams at the same time I found Candy Hearts, so it was fun to do an comparison. My wife preferred the Candy Hearts and I liked Candy Dreams better. And the kids don't care as long as they are getting to eat them!

    ? When in Season?

    The 2020 crop is looking exceptionally good with supplies lasting from late July to early November.

    Found out where you can buy Gum Drops and other Grapery varieties.

    A three tired display of Grapery grapes at a Kroger store

    ?Gum Drops vs. Cotton Candy

    I wanted to compare Grapery's signature and most popular variety, Cotton Candy grapes with the Gum Drops.

    Cotton CandyGum Drops
    Green with bronze tonesRanging from black to purple to dark red
    Average sizedSmall to medium
    Very sweet, little tartnessRanging from sweet with some tartness to really sweet
    Tastes like Cotton CandyFruity, gummy flavor
    One variety3 varieties under the same packaging
    mid August to late Septemberlate July to early November

    ? Try These Grapes Too

    • Moon Drops
    • Thomcord Grapes
    • Sable Seedless
    • Cotton Candy
    • Muscat Grapes

    Have you found these grapes? Tell us what you think and where you bought them in the comments below.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maria

      November 30, 2016 at 11:34 am

      Did I get a bad batch? The grapes I bought had little, to no taste to them at all. They're sister grapes, cotton candy far exceed the taste of gum drop and moon drops.

    2. Maria

      November 30, 2016 at 11:35 am

      Pardon my grammar.

    3. Eric Samuelson

      December 01, 2016 at 2:53 pm

      When did you buy them? They have been out of season for a while.

    4. Mike D

      August 04, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      I just bought some of these today — Aug 4 — at Metropolitan Market in Seattle and was also disappointed. They didn’t have much flavor, with almost minty overtones. Much redder in color than your pictures.

    5. Eric Samuelson

      August 04, 2018 at 3:24 pm

      That is a shame you didn't like them. The reason they might look different than the ones in my picture is that they have a new variety that are now in the Gum Drop grape line. They are just coming out for the first time this season. I haven't tried these ones yet. In September, the original Gum Drops grapes will come out, I would give those ones a chance.

    6. Mike D

      August 14, 2018 at 12:41 am

      I gave the gum drops another chance. Although they were still a bit lighter in color like the first batch I had (and purchased at the same place, Metropolitan Market in Seattle), these were great! I'm wondering if the earlier ones just weren't sufficiently ripe. The latest batch were very good -- very fruity!

      I have to admit, from memory I think my favorite is still the moon drops that I had last year! I've also had tear drops a few time this summer, which are good, but not as good as the moon drops or the gum drops. I got the tear drops at Metropolitan Market earlier (no longer available there), and most recently (just this past weekend) at QFC (a Kroger-owned chain in the PNW) on Mercer & 5th Ave in Seattle.

    7. Amber

      October 23, 2018 at 11:10 am

      I found them last week in New Castle, PA. They are delicious! I think I found my new favorite grape!

    8. Eric Samuelson

      October 23, 2018 at 11:48 am

      Glad to hear you found them. They are my favorite too. What store did you get them in?

    9. Peggy Stephens

      August 14, 2020 at 6:03 pm

      I am always on the lookout for the bright pink package. Thinking I'd found the Cotton Candy grapes i yearn for each summer, i discovered these were actually the Gum Drop grapex. I figured since they came from the same grower, they were wprth a try. WOW! They are so good. I found the grapes at my local Haggen store (similar to Albertsons or Safeway). I will buy these as often as i can get my hands on them. So good. I like them better than the Cotton Candy grapes.

    10. mercurywoodrose

      August 31, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      just tried them today. they really do remind me of a gummy candy flavor, cant identify which, but its uncanny, and a better flavor profile than cotton candy, whcih is just sugary. these are reminiscient of the muscat, but not overwhelming like some people experience them. your kids WILL LOVE THEM. this is exactly as good as candy. if you were to dehydrate them they would be just like gumdrops. i do prefer more complex fruit, but this is like a huge throwback to childhood. its what we all wanted grapes to taste like growing up.

    11. Eric Samuelson

      August 31, 2020 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks for sharing!

    12. Laura Christine

      September 03, 2020 at 5:15 pm

      I got a batch of these just today at my HEB that taste exactly like lychee fruit. It is uncanny. They're absolutely wonderful grapes. I made the mistake of eating a whole two pounds of them in a day. Worth it.

    13. Eric Samuelson

      September 07, 2020 at 5:53 am

      I never thought about that before. Lychee do have a grape like quality to them.

    14. Marilyn C Jackson

      September 12, 2020 at 9:00 am

      I bought 3 bags of Grapery grapes yesterday at my local Sprouts store! Cotton Candy, Gum drops and Moon Drops. I adore them all, but the Moon Drops are my favorite! So sweet and crisp!!

    15. carolyn dean naftaly

      September 12, 2020 at 3:42 pm

      I bought gum drop grapes at Kroger in bardstown kentucky. They are very sweet and have a taste of concord grape to them. Dark purple in color and small to med size. I love these grapes, keep them growing!!!!!

    16. tdiym

      October 13, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      I never thought I'd find a grape I liked better than muscats, but Gum Drops are it! They are sweet and very fruity and I totally love them. I love them so much I buy big bags of them even when they are $4 a pound! The purple ones are my favorites and it seems like they're about finished for the season here. They never did go on sale, but I love them so much, I buy them anyway!

    17. Tammy Newsome

      October 16, 2020 at 1:26 am

      I tried the gumdrop grapes and wow they are like eating candy. I found them at Publix in mobile alabama . Publix has all of these grapes and I absolutely adore them all but the gumdrop are officially my favorite . Amazing !

    18. Stacie L Shelton

      September 03, 2022 at 8:40 am

      I just discovered these AWESOME grapes at my local HEB today and I can honestly say that these are by far the absolute BEST grapes I've ever eaten. They supersede the cotton candy in sweetness and leave a sweet taste on your tongue far longer. I'm truly impressed.

    19. Eric Samuelson

      September 06, 2022 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks for leaving a comment, Stacie. Glad to hear you like them. I prefer them over Cotton Candy grapes myself too.

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