GRAPES — UP TO SIX MONTHS

LAST year for the first time, grapes were named Britain’s favourite fruit — pipping apples to the top spot with sales of £604 million compared with £600 million.

Experts say their convenience is the key, with ‘snack packs’ of grapes viewed as a healthy addition to the nation’s lunchboxes. And thanks to improvements in refrigeration and storage, supermarkets can ensure a steady supply all year round without having to resort to costly, environmentally unfriendly air-freight.

Depending on the variety, grapes can be stored for between two and six months, although most will hit the shelves faster than that, especially those imported from Europe.

They will be kept at around 0c in rooms with relatively high humidity, to prevent shrivelling.

They will also be fumigated with sulphur dioxide or stored with pads that produce sulphur dioxide to prevent outbreaks of mould. Be warned that this can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Store grapes in the fridge, unwashed, in the bag they come in, to keep them edible for a further week or two.