Scuppernong grapes, botanically classified as Vitis rotindiflora, grow on hardy deciduous vines and are indigenous to the Southeastern United States. Also known as Scuplin grapes, Scupadine grapes, and Scuppernine grapes, Scuppernongs are the original variety of Muscadine grapes.

What is a Scupadine?

The grape is commonly known as the “scuplin” in some areas of the Deep South. It is also known as the “scufalum”, “scupanon”, “scupadine”, “scuppernine”, “scupnun”, or “scufadine” in some parts of the South. The scuppernong is the state fruit of North Carolina.

What’s the difference in muscadines and scuppernongs?

Muscadine and Scuppernong are a couple of names that are sometimes used loosely to mean the same grape, but in reality, a Scuppernong is a particular variety of Muscadine. So, technically you could call any Scuppernong grape a Muscadine, but you couldn’t call any Muscadine grape a Scuppernong.

Can you eat muscadines off the vine?

Since Muscadines tend to have thicker skins, this a benefit when eating them out of hand—although the skin is edible, some people prefer to squeeze each grape so the pulp goes in their mouth and they can discard the skin (and spit out the seeds). They can be challenging to harvest.

What are Scuppernong grapes used for?

Muscadine and Scuppernong Recipes

Use these grapes in pies, jellies, jams, and wines. Chop them up and put them in a Waldorf salad. They add their own special magic to Southern grape jelly meatballs.

What does a Scuppernong taste like?

The scuppernong is a tart-tasting grape, so it’s often turned into jelly or syrup to sweeten its experience.

Are scuppernongs good for you?

That positions muscadines and scuppernongs in the elite list of powerful antioxidant foods that includes blueberries, plums, pomegranate, blackberries, cranberries and raspberries. Muscadine grapes are fat free, high in fiber and they are high in antioxidants, especially ellagic acid and resveratrol.

How do you know when scuppernongs are ripe?

Scuppernongs are harvested as individual fruits. When they are ripe, they will fall off the vine at a touch. They will not ripen after they are picked.

Can you grow scuppernongs from seed?

The seeds of heirloom varieties will reproduce true to type, but hybrids will not. Harvest seeds, dry them and then plant them in your garden to enjoy this fruit. Harvest the hard, oblong seeds from scuppernong grapes. Eat the fruit and remove the seeds or cut the grapes open and scoop them out with a spoon or knife.

What do you do with scuppernongs?

It’s a delicacy made from the harvest of the grapes. They ripen in late summer and are harvested in August and September. In the kitchen, scuppernongs can also be used to make jams, jellies, and preserves.

Is the skin of a muscadine good for you?

The skin gives the muscadine natural resistance to disease, fungi and insects, and it stores many antioxidants, the study said. Grape phenolics serve as anti-inflammatory agents, can reduce the risk of certain cancers and help prevent high blood pressure and heart disease, Marshall said.

Can you swallow muscadine seeds?

You can swallow the pulp and seeds together OR you can work the seeds out of the pulp with your tongue, and spit them out before you swallow the pulp. For the greatest nutritional benefit, eat the skins and seeds as well as the pulp and juice.

Where can you find Scuppernong grapes?

In season from late July to October, scuppernongs can be found in the southeastern U.S., but North Carolina is their true home. The scuppernong was the first grape cultivated in the United States and is the official fruit of North Carolina — so tied to the region’s identity that it’s part of the official state toast.

Why is the Scuppernong grape the state fruit?

North Carolina designated the Scuppernong grape as the official state fruit in 2001. A Scuppernong is a large variety of muscadine (a type of grape native to southeastern U.S.). The grape was named after the Scuppernong River of North Carolina, where it was first discovered.

How big is a Scuppernong?

Scuppernong grapes are large in size and are oblong to round in shape, averaging 2-4 centimeters in diameter and grow in loose clusters. The thick skin ranges in color from pale green, bronze, to golden and there may be some speckling or spots across the smooth skin.

How do scuppernong grapes grow?

With the right conditions and attention, it’s easy to grow your own muscadine grapes.
Prepare the site. Muscadine vines require full sun and well-draining soil. Build a trellis. Like all grape cultivars, muscadines require trellis support. Plant. Plant bare-root vines in spring. Keep the soil moist. Prune.

What is the fruit for North Carolina?

(a) The official fruit of the State of North Carolina is the Scuppernong grape (Vitis genus). (b) The official red berry of the State is the strawberry (Fragaria genus).

How do you store scuppernongs?

Avoid grapes that appear wrinkled or shriveled or have mold or other obvious damage and decay. Storing: Refrigerate grapes in a closed container or clamshell. Grapes will store for at least a week in refrigeration. Grapes in open or ventilated containers will tend to dehydrate gradually in refrigeration.