When one thinks of grape juice, the name concord may come to mind. One variety of grape that has a similar flavor to a concord grape is the Niabell table grape (table grapes are grapes meant for eating, not wine making). This grape is often called the "California Concord". They grow the best in mild climates, so they do well in the San Joaquin Valley of California.
The Niabell grape was developed by Harld P. Olmo in 1942. It was made by crossing the Early Campbell and Niagara varieties.
My Experience with these grapes
Tart/Sweet: Sweet
Seed/Seedless: Seed
Grape Flavor (Rating Scale 1-10): 8
Overall Feeling: Niabell grapes pack a lot of flavor and are very sweet. They have seeds in them which can be difficult in eating. I never came up with a good strategy for eating them. I think they are good to use to make things like jelly. I am planning to use them to make grape sorbet. They are also good for making juice since they are so similar to the popular juice grape - the Concord.
Availability: They are available during the months of July and August (maybe more if you live in California). I found them at Whole Foods Market as well as Plum Market in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They do not do well in cold storage so you need to use them quickly and this is why you won't find them much longer after their done harvesting them for the season.
Nancy
This is the best fruit on the planet in my opinion. My eating strategy is messy but well worth it. First, I break the skin, squeeze out the slimy inside, spit out the seeds then mash the skin with my finger while sucking out the most flavorful purple "paste" that adheres to the inside of the skin. Then I discard the skin. I eat these daily when in season. They are so flavorful and colorful. They must be LOADED with nutrients. I love Concord grapes but these are WAY better.
Jules
Hands-down, my all-time favorite grape. Thanks for the details.
Jane L Cook
We used to eat the concord grapes that grow in New York on my Grandmothers summer house behind which were all the vines. We would close our eyes in bliss (my cousin and I) and dream of wonderful things while eating them. But these blew those grapes "out of the saddle" the flavor has a complete jump on the grapes that we thought only our black New York soil could grow.
Kudos magnifique!! I bought 5 boxes, ate three then bought 2 more and ate them all myself !!!!:)
BEVERLY
the niabell grapes are the best in the world. I love the way the skin comes out in my mouth and the tarkness. they are not sold in to many stores but oneand i try to buy 2 containers every other day. can you freeze them ? please say yes.smile
admin
I know people like to freeze grapes and then eat them frozen. I am not sure how they would do after they are defrosted.
Jersey Girl Cooks
I use them in muffins. They are delcious!
Alexander Jhin
Just found some at SF Ferry Building Farmer's market... and it's early December!
I eat'em using a sunflower seed eater's trick. Pop one in your mouth. Use your tongue to gently push it against the roof of your mouth. The skin will pop off. Push the skin between your right molars and chew for a bit (don't chew the pulp.) Push the pulp in front of your front teeth, then with your jaw open a little bit, suck. Your upper and lower incisors will act like a filter letting only the pulp through. The seeds will stay in front of the incisors. With your tongue, slide the seeds from above your incisors to between your left cheek and top gums. Finish chewing the pulp and skin. Move onto the next grape.
When your cheeks are full of seeds, spit them all out at once.
Nancy
These are WAY better than NY concords. People that I get to try them, LOVE them. The ones grown by Lago or Lagomarisino are the BEST but I could not find them at all last year. I am making a plea to anyone who can improve the distribution and marketing of these grapes so that I can get my daily fix of them every fall.
Nancy Annunciato
I agreed with Nancy, I'm looking for that grape all over no one has I found at Fresh Easy, but just could buy one time , every one that I talk to want that grade it is the best.
If someone knows where to buy them please let me know
Thanks
Eric Samuelson
Unfortunately I have not seen them myself this season.
Chuck Tela
Concord Grapes as the name implies grows best, though apparently not most prolifically, near wherer they originate from near Concord, Massachusetts--you must remember the American revolution? These Concord Grapes are far superior to Niabell Grapes in both flavor and texture (now, I have to swear a little bit: 'al dente'. Just kidding!) Not only that but in Massachusetts they grow like weeds and once they take root they are larger than a large size tree and highly prolific. But in California where Concord Grapes do not grow for some reason (probably the lack of freezing weather during winter) Niabell grape is a God send and a great reminder of its parent the New England Concord Grape of Massachusetts. ctt
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing your input. I know in California now they are growing Thomcord grapes, which is a Thompson and Concord cross. The flavor isn't as strong as a Concord but they still pack enough flavor and without the seeds.
Clare
This summer, H-Mart is selling Niabell Concord grapes by LAGO. Agree with Nancy, the best fruit on the planet. The best way to enjoy them is to wait for them totally ripe and then carefully peel off the top layer of the skin to enjoy the soft inner layer (What Nancy called the purple paste)!