Grapes are a useful and beautiful plant; many plant it in their summer cottages. Someone loves it because the vine grows well and "climbs" on horizontal surfaces, creating a beautiful natural awning. For others, the main advantage is, of course, grapes, which have not only great taste, but also medicinal properties. You can enjoy the taste even after the season has passed if you know how to properly store the grapes.
Instructions
Step 1
It should be remembered that late grape varieties are best stored. Bunches with a not very dense arrangement of berries are suitable for storage. The rind should be thick and the flesh firm.
Step 2
Grapes for storage should be harvested in dry weather, putting the harvest in a container dried in the sun, this will help reduce the risk of grape rotting in the future. Bunches should be handled with care, as damaged berries can also cause putrefactive processes during storage. When picking, it is necessary to leave the comb as long as possible and try not to touch the berries with your hands.
Step 3
Immediately after picking, the berries are recommended to be removed to a dark place, since in the light the berries undergo a process of increased respiration, which reduces the quality of the grapes.
Step 4
When picking and placing grapes for storage, it is recommended to take bunches only by the comb. The grapes are covered with a natural waxy coating, which naturally protects the fruit and is a good preservative. If the protective layer is damaged, it can accelerate the decay of the grapes.
Step 5
Choose a storage location that is dry and well-ventilated. Excessive accumulation of moisture will only harm the grapes. For the same reason, it is not recommended to store vegetables with grapes, which give off a lot of moisture. The room must be clean, free of insects, mold and odors. Sometimes the walls of the premises are treated with a 5% composition of ferrous sulfate. The temperature suitable for storing grapes is from 0 to +5 degrees.
Step 6
In the storage room, the grapes are tied to a rail and placed in such a way that they do not touch each other and hang freely. This allows you to extend the shelf life of grapes up to two months. Before hanging, you can lower the grapes in a solution of potassium permanganate for 25 minutes (2-3 grams of water are enough for 10 liters of water) and let the solution drain. You can also place grapes on the shelves. In this case, the bunches should be located in one layer and also not touch each other.
Step 7
To ensure longer storage, grapes are sometimes "sealed". To do this, the bunches are immersed in molten paraffin, and before use, they get rid of the paraffin layer by dipping the grapes into hot water.
