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.
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!
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
? 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
? 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
? 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.
?Gum Drops vs. Cotton Candy
I wanted to compare Grapery's signature and most popular variety, Cotton Candy grapes with the Gum Drops.
| Cotton Candy | Gum Drops |
| Green with bronze tones | Ranging from black to purple to dark red |
| Average sized | Small to medium |
| Very sweet, little tartness | Ranging from sweet with some tartness to really sweet |
| Tastes like Cotton Candy | Fruity, gummy flavor |
| One variety | 3 varieties under the same packaging |
| mid August to late September | late July to early November |
? Try These Grapes Too
Have you found these grapes? Tell us what you think and where you bought them in the comments below.
Maria
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.
Maria
Pardon my grammar.
Eric Samuelson
When did you buy them? They have been out of season for a while.
Mike D
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.
Eric Samuelson
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.
Mike D
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.
Amber
I found them last week in New Castle, PA. They are delicious! I think I found my new favorite grape!
Eric Samuelson
Glad to hear you found them. They are my favorite too. What store did you get them in?
Peggy Stephens
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.
mercurywoodrose
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.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing!
Laura Christine
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.
Eric Samuelson
I never thought about that before. Lychee do have a grape like quality to them.
Marilyn C Jackson
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!!
carolyn dean naftaly
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!!!!!
tdiym
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!
Tammy Newsome
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 !
Stacie L Shelton
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.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for leaving a comment, Stacie. Glad to hear you like them. I prefer them over Cotton Candy grapes myself too.