Colloquial term for grape varieties that, in contrast to wine grapes, are mainly grown as eating grapes for fresh consumption or for the production of sultanas. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans already bred special varieties with particularly sweet and large berries, which were the most popular and most important fruit not only among the propertied classes (along with figs) but also among the common people. They were used not only for consumption but also as sweeteners for food and drink. In 2014, 747 million quintals (100 kg) of grapes were produced worldwide. 418 (56%) of these were used as wine grapes for wine and grape juice as well as non-fermented intermediate products such as RCGM, and 329 (44%) as eating grapes, i.e. table grapes and sultanas.
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Technischer Lehrer, staatl. geprüfter Sommelier, Hotelfachschule Heidelberg