Food - Drink
The Unique Grape Variety That Took Nearly A Decade To Create
By MEGGAN ROBINSON
What Are Moon Drops
Also known as the Sweet Sapphire or IFG Six, Moon Drop grapes have deep purple skin, a dimple on one end, and an elongated shape, almost resembling a tiny eggplant. However, as pretty as the grapes are, they're also delicious, with a sweet flavor that becomes slightly tangy as they ripen.
A Collaborative Effort
Moon Drop grapes were developed by International Fruit Genetics (IFG) in collaboration with Grapery. The grapes are a cross between the Beita Mouni grape and a grape known only as C22-121, and they were developed through selective breeding, a process that can take between 6 and 15 years.
What Do They Taste?
Moon Drop grapes are super-crisp, with an elongated shape, and a nearly-clear flesh. The grapes are sweet, slightly tangy with perceptible tannins for balance, and best of all, the grapes were designed to “withstand shipping and storage,” according to IFG and Grapery founder Jack Pandol, so they stay fresh.
How to Eat Them
Of course, Moon Drops can be eaten plain, but they also hold their own in more creative recipes like a charcuterie board, where their crisp texture perfectly balances creamy cheeses and salty meats. They can also be added to a Waldorf salad, used as a pizza topping, pickled, or turned into a jam or jelly.
Where to Buy Them
Moon Drops are grown in the San Joaquin Valley of California, but they’re available at many retailers, which can be found via the interactive map on Grapery’s website. Unfortunately, the grape is under patent until 2023, so you can’t grow the grapes in your own backyard yet, even for personal use.
Nutrition
Moon Drops are nutritionally similar to other grapes, and are a good source of vitamins K, B, and C, copper, and antioxidants, and they may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Roughly 10 Moon Drop grapes contain 34 calories, almost no fat, no cholesterol, 8.9 grams of carbohydrates, and 7.6 grams of sugar.