Everything You Need to Know About Cotton Candy Grapes

Your prayers have been answered—Cotton Candy grapes are here! It may sound like something that’s straight from Willy Wonka’s mind, but there’s nothing at all fictional about these fruits. They’re as real as apples or bananas! (You know, Cotton Candy grapes aren’t even the weirdest fruit at the supermarket…) Here’s a bunch of details:

Our Most Gorgeous Grape Recipes

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Triple Fruit Freeze

These pops won't turn your tongue blue or neon green like many store-bought pops because they're made with fresh grapes, blueberries and kiwifruit. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

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Fruit & Spinach Salad

The combination of sweet fruit and salty feta cheese makes this salad a winner. —Virginia Dack, Asheville, North Carolina

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Fruit and Cheese Kabobs

We came up with this fresh and fruity summer snack idea. It's easy to make ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Creamy Grape Salad

Everyone raves when I bring this refreshing, creamy salad to potlucks. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans. —Marge Elling, Jenison, Michigan

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Sweet & Spicy Pickled Red Seedless Grapes

Most people don't think about grapes when creating a canned pickle recipe. The pickling liquid for these grapes includes red wine, vinegar, and common pickling spices like coriander, mustard seeds and hot pepper; it also contains warm spices like cinnamon and star anise along with brown sugar. These flavor-packed grapes are unique and delicious on an antipasto, pickle or cheese tray. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina

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Broccoli Salad Supreme

People can't get enough of the sweet grapes and crunchy broccoli in this colorful salad. I appreciate its make-ahead convenience. —Terri Twyman, Bonanza, Oregon

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Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches

Parmesan cheese and dill make this the most incredible chicken salad I’ve ever tasted. For the no-cook version, use canned chicken. These sandwiches are a simple entree to serve at parties, showers or picnics.—Jaclyn Bell, Logan, Utah

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Lime-Honey Fruit Salad

Nothing is more refreshing to me than a seasonal fruit salad enhanced with this simple honey-lime dressing. —Victoria Shevlin, Cape Coral, Florida

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Balsamic Steak with Red Grape Relish

I love how steak marinated in balsamic vinaigrette goes so well with a relish of red grapes and blue cheese. Everything looks gorgeous on the plate. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

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Orange-Drizzled Grape Tartlets

Sugar cookie dough and cream cheese make it easy to build a crunchy, tangy tartlet featuring lush seasonal grapes. —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri

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Tequila Vinaigrette with Greens

Here’s a zingy vinaigrette with Southwestern flair. We serve it with added toppings like apples, mandarin oranges, feta cheese and candied walnuts. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

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Cheese/Grape Appetizers

This appetizer is well worth the time it takes to make. The grapes look especially attractive on a bed of lettuce surrounded with crackers and cheese. —Eleanor Grofvert, Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Mulled Grape Cider

I came up with this recipe one year when I tried to make grape jelly and ended up with 30 jars of delicious grape syrup instead. I simmered the syrup with spices to make a lovely autumn drink. —Sharon Harmon, Orange, Massachusetts

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Pina Colada Fruit Salad

Give friends a taste of the tropics on warm summer days with this refreshing fruit blend. For a little extra punch, you might add a splash of coconut rum. —Carol Farnsworth, Greenwood, Indiana

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Cool & Crunchy Chicken Salad

When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine

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Cranberry Waldorf Salad

Cranberries grow in the coastal area about 50 miles from our home. When they become available, I always make this creamy salad. —Faye Huff, Longview, Washington

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Apple Pear Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

For a unique treat that's always a hit at fall get-togethers, try this easy appetizer. The salsa is packed with crunchy apples, grapes and pears, which are so fun to scoop up with crisp cinnamon chips. —Courtney Fons, Brighton, Michigan

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Sangria Gelatin Ring

This gelatin is enjoyed by everyone because you just can't go wrong with fresh berries. —Nicole Nemeth, Komoka, Ontario

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Turkey Salad with Grapes & Cashews

I used to buy turkey salad from a local deli until I experimented and came up with this recipe myself. It's even better than the store-bought kind.—Connie Laux, Englewood, Ohio

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Waldorf Turkey Pitas

Living in New York City means not having a lot of time to prepare meals. This recipe is quick, easy and healthy, making it perfect for my lifestyle. —Kevin Sobotka, Staten Island, New York

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Pina Colada Carrot Salad

This carrot salad with pina colada yogurt, green grapes and macadamia nuts has a tropical theme. Just mix and chill out. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Roasted Grape Crostini

A trip to Spain introduced me to its culinary treasures, like Manchego cheese and sherry. This appetizer always impresses folks who’ve never tasted roasted grapes. They're amazing. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

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Greek Salad with Green Grapes

Prepared with ingredients traditionally associated with Greece, this healthy and colorful salad offers a delightful combination of tastes. This salad is outstanding for any entree, but especially with lamb or pork dishes prepared in a Mediterranean style.—Holly Heupel, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Ambrosia Fruit Salad

My mom's ambrosia salad, with its tasty combination of fresh fruits and creamy yogurt, is a family favorite, and a great addition to a backyard barbecue. —Colleen Belbey, Warwick, Rhode Island

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Overnight Fruit Salad

I first tasted this rich fruit salad at my wedding reception many years ago. The ladies who did the cooking wouldn't share the recipe at the time, but I eventually got it. I've made it for many meals, and our daughters copied the recipe when they married. —Eileen Duffeck, Lena, Wisconsin

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Chunky Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

This chicken salad with grapes is ready in a snap when using rotisserie chicken and a few quick chops of pecans, sweet onion and celery. —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri

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Melon and Grape Salad

Fruit salad is a cheery way to round out a potluck. This one—with an easy and refreshing citrus dressing, makes a nice addition to any buffet. —Mary Etta Buran, Olmsted Township, Ohio

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Fluffy Green Grape Salad

I received this recipe from a cousin-in-law at a family reunion. Since then, I've brought it to many gatherings myself. We also like to eat it as a dessert.—Kelli Giffen, Barrie, Ontario

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The Grapes of the Future

These days, through the miracle of science, food producers can make almost anything happen. That’s why the California company Grapery is able to make our grape dreams come true.

By cross-breeding many different standard grapes, the company has managed to create all sorts of new grapes. Ranging in styles and flavors, these new fruits are as tasty as they are original. Moon Drops are grapes shaped like tiny eggplants, gum drops have a “gummylicious flavor” and Cotton Candy grapes taste exactly like cotton candy. Intrigued? We certainly are!

Where to Find Cotton Candy Grapes

Cotton Candy grapes tend to hit store shelves for just a few weeks in early fall, however, folks have been seeing them pop up again in November. They’ve been spotted at many Hy-Vee stores (just another reason to love them). They are currently retailing at about $3.99 per pound (normally they are around $2), but that’s the price for surprise candy-flavored grapes.

Serious Cotton Candy grape fans can follow the hashtag #cottoncandygrapes to keep closer tabs.

Are They Good for You?

Grapery has launched so many exciting-sounding grapes that we had to update our grape guide. But before you start to worry, know that they’re packed with the same vitamins that you get in regular green and red grapes. You don’t have to feel guilty about eating them at all. It’s also not the first unusual “designer fruit” in your produce department—especially if you shop at Walmart.

Bake ‘Em in a Pie