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    Home Β» What is the Difference Β» What is the Difference Between Concord and Thomcord Grapes?

    What is the Difference Between Concord and Thomcord Grapes?

    Published: Jul 11, 2021 by Eric Samuelson

    These grapes may look the same on the outside but find out what makes a Concord grape and a Thomcord grape different.

    Read our review and find out which is the better table grape? And can you make jelly with either?

    At the top a picture of concord grapes in wooden quart sized containers. On the bottom a plastic clamshell package of thomcord grapes. In between the photos it says "What's the Difference? Concord vs. Thomcord".

    Have you ever bought Welch's Grape Juice?

    Then you have had concord grapes.

    They have an unique rich flavor all their own.

    During September and October you can find fresh concord grapes at some grocery stores and definitely at farmer's markets in places like Michigan and New York (they even have a concord grape museum there!)

    A lot of people might be turned off by the fact they these grapes have seeds, making out of hand eating more of a challenge. Most of us are use to eating seedless green, red, or black grapes. When we encounter a seeded grape, we don't know what to do.

    Is there a way to have our cake (or grapes in this case) and eat it too? The Thomcord Grape has arrived to save the day.

    Jump to:
    • ❔ What's the Difference
    • πŸ“‹ Thomcord Review
    • πŸ–οΈ How to Use Thomcord Grapes
    • πŸ™‹ Why are Concord Hard to Find
    • πŸ›’ Where to Buy Thomcord Grapes?
    • 🌱 Grapevines for Sale
    • πŸ‡ More Grape Varieties Try
    • πŸ“§ Join Our Email List
    A bunch of ripe concord grapes still attached to the vine.

    ❔ What's the Difference

    If you have been to a Kroger store or Trader Joe's store in late July to early August you might have noticed some grapes called Thomcords. They look a lot like the Concord grape, in fact they are pretty hard to tell apart from the untrained eye.

    The packaging typically claims these grapes have a Concord-like flavor.

    But how are they different from Concords?

    Thomcord grapes are a cross between a Thompson Seedless Grape - which is one of the popular green grape varieties - and a Concord.

    Don't worry this is NOT some kind of crazy genetically modified grape. It was developed grape breeders working for the Agricultural Research Service in 1983. It wasn't actually released to grow until 2003.

    Another difference of the Thomcord is the growing condition is favors. It likes hot, dry growing conditions just like it's parent the Thompson. Concords prefer a more humid climate - which is why you don't see true Concords grown much in California, but you do see Thomcords coming from there.

    Concords are considered slip skin grapes, which means the skin easily comes off when you bite into them. The Thomcord did not pick up this trait, rather the skin stays on more like it's Thompson parent.

    As it comes to seeds, no grape is truly seedless, just the seeds are so undeveloped we can't taste them. The Thomcord seeds I find to be bigger than a Thompson, but still small enough to be considered a seedless grape. Once before I had some Thomcords that did have noticeable seeds (still very immature) that I did not like at all. Most of the time you shouldn't notice the.

    A bag of Organic Thomcord Seedless table grapes on display at a grocery store for $3.99/lb.

    πŸ“‹ Thomcord Review

    πŸ‘… Taste - Thomcord flavor is very similar to Concord, but it's not as intense.

    People have are use to eating Concord grapes are typically disappointed. People that don't and only eat seedless grapes are more likely to be a fan of the Thomcord. It has way more flavor than most grocery store grapes.

    I enjoy them and they are one of my daugther's favorite varieties.

    Aim to get them when they are most fresh in July or August. If you find them in September, I often find those are too soft and pass their peak, unless you are getting them from a local source.

    Do I recommend buying Thomcord grapes? - πŸ‘ YES! For out of hand eating as a table grape.

    πŸ–οΈ How to Use Thomcord Grapes

    They are just excellent for out of hand eating. A great table grape.

    As for recipes, the flavor is going to be as good as with a Concord. But if the seed thing is a big issue for you, discouraging you from using them in recipes, then by all means give Thomcords a try and see what you think.

    A cardboard container of Concord grapes with a handle. On the handle it reads "grown in canada"

    πŸ™‹ Why are Concord Hard to Find

    Unless you live close to an area that grows Concord grapes, you are going to have a hard time finding them.

    Why?

    I am not 100% sure. But my guess would be that there isn't a big demand for a fresh seeded grape. Since they aren't really grown in California, the nation's leader grape producer, they are coming from smaller operations that probably can't support shipping nationwide.

    Even if you live near an area that grows them, most grocery stores don't typically carry them. You may find a few select ones that do. The farmer's market or going directly to a farm is going to be your best choice.

    I live in Michigan and I have no problem finding them in September at various farmer's markets.

    A package of Trader Joe's Thomcoard Seedless Grapes on a white tile countertop.
    Here is a package of Thomcord Grapes from Trader Joe's. I can always find them there every season.

    πŸ›’ Where to Buy Thomcord Grapes?

    Here are some places that I know sell Thomcords. Look for them the last half of July to the first half of August. I will add more locations if I find them.

    • Kroger
    • Trader Joe's
    • Whole Foods Market
    • Safeway
    • Publix
    • Kings
    • Homewood Stores
    • United Supermarkets
    • Harmons
    • Brennans

    🌱 Grapevines for Sale

    Want to grow your own Thomcord grapes? You can buy them through Stark Bros.

    On the left a bunch of black moon drops grapes and on the right a bunch of green tear drops grapes.
    On the left are Moon Drops grapes and on the right are green Tear Drops grapes.

    πŸ‡ More Grape Varieties Try

    Here are some other grape varieties you gotta try.

    • Cotton Candy
    • Tear Drops
    • Candy Snaps
    • Sable Seedess
    • Moon Drops or Sweet Sapphire
    • Muscat
    • Grapery Limited
    • Gum Drops

    πŸ“§ Join Our Email List

    If you are a grape fan you have to sign up for our Cotton Candy grape email list. While the list is focused on Cotton Candy grape availability, we also share when many of the other great tasting varieties like Thomcord are available.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jodi

      August 13, 2014 at 7:37 pm

      Do you eat the skins or pop them out like Concord?

    2. Eric Samuelson

      August 14, 2014 at 5:23 am

      Go ahead and eat the skins!

    3. Flutist Walter Bell

      August 06, 2018 at 10:42 am

      As a first time Tomcord consumer,I didn't know what to expect. We had a concord grape vine in our backyard in Philly that my grandfather planted ( I understand that it's still there) so we always had the grapes, jellies,wines,etc. We were taught as kids how to eat them to avoid tasting the seeds. I always wondered why no one came up with seedless concords as they're so good but I must say that Tomcord has a product that does just that. As a lifelong concord grape eater,this is the best idea to that end. Congrats,you made a fan out of me....!

    4. JR

      August 24, 2018 at 1:28 pm

      I just picked up a package of these at Trader Joe's the other day, had never heard of them before - sadly, the seeds were very noticeable, and actually harder to discard than a straight Concord! I also really missed the tartness of the Concord. I'll have to skip these in the future, but crossing my fingers that the real Concords will still be sold during those few special autumn weeks...

    5. Eric Samuelson

      August 25, 2018 at 6:07 am

      That's weird, I never had any of the Thomcords that had noticeable seeds.
      I totally get wanting to have the more tart flavor of the Concord.

    6. HKnasm

      October 07, 2018 at 12:39 am

      ive tasted thomcords and i dont think they have the concord flavor at all
      πŸ™ i wish concords were more widely available

    7. Lawrence Patterson

      October 27, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      I recently brought some Thomcord Grapes I am a natural food person. I make my own grape juice. Alone they were sweet. However I added some arena Berrys because I am a diabetic. It turned out pretty good. I suggest you don't strain the grapes to insure the nutrients.

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    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

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