FoodFood InformationFruitGrapes
The Italia is an improved Muscatel grape (improved in looksbut not in flavor). The Muscatel, which is the sweetest of all the varietiesof table grapes, is very fragile and tends to turn amber in color when itreaches full maturity. This amber, almost brown, coloring doesn't appealto the less knowledgeable shopper. The Italia is a type of Muscatel thatretains its green skin color and has replaced the amber Muscatel as a tablegrape. It has large, round, pale-green berries and a sweet, full-bodiedflavor. The Italias arrive in August and wind up in October. This varietyis definitely worth trying even if you aren't too keen on grapes that haveseeds. They are highly prized in Europe. As a rule they aren't importedfrom Chile because they are too fragile to make the long sea journey.
The Almeria is a variety that is being phased out. It has mediumsized light green and amber berries. The bunches are small and scragglyand the flavor is mild. The Almeria has been replaced by the more attractive,better flavored Calmeria variety.
The Calmeria variety features elongated, slender, light green orgolden berries. This gracefully shaped variety is sometimes called the LadyFinger grape. The Calmeria has a fine, mild, sweet flavor, a rather toughskin, and very few seeds. They arrive in October and last through February.
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