Coronation grape

Grape

A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...

s (formally, Sovereign Coronation) are a "virtually seedless" hybrid variety of table grape

Table grape

Table grapes are grapes intended for consumption while they are fresh, as opposed to grapes grown for wine production, juice production, or for drying into raisins....

 developed in Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. Coronation grapes are popular throughout Canada, and are available during a short period in late summer and early fall. These grapes are characterized by their "vibrant blue-purple" colour, similar to the related Concord variety.

Development

Agriculture Canada's Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland

Summerland, British Columbia

Summerland is a community on the west side of Okanagan Lake in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The district is between Peachland to the north and Penticton to the south...

, British Columbia

British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...

 developed the Sovereign Coronation grape in the 1970s. This project was directed by Lyall Denby, as part of the Plant Breeding Program.

The Coronation grape is a hybrid of two North American varieties: the black Patricia (not to be confused with the white Lady Patricia) and the Himrod

Himrod

Himrod is a white table grape, released in 1952 by the New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York. It is seedless and known for ripening quickly and its sweet flavor....

.

Agriculture

Coronation grapes are a "fairly hardy variety" of grape and are most productive in relatively cool climates.

The grapes ripen as early as late August, and are consequently available earlier than traditional varieties. Availability ranges from late August to early September in Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

and early September to early October in British Columbia.

In 2007, an estimated 2.2 million kilograms of Coronation grapes were produced in Ontario. Despite having only been introduced to the Niagara region in 2000, in 2008 they were the most abundantly grown seedless table grape in southern Ontario.

Use in cuisine

The flavour of the Coronation grape has been variously described as a "sweet-and-sour taste that bursts in the mouth", "sophisticated [and] deliciously sweet", a "mild sweet taste", "distinctive [and] musky", and "an odd, off taste".

The grapes can be eaten fresh, or incorporated into fruit preserves

Fruit preserves

Fruit preserves are preparations of fruits and sugar, often canned or sealed for long-term storage. The preparation of fruit preserves today often involves adding commercial or natural pectin as a gelling agent, although sugar or honey may be used, as well. Prior to World War II, fruit preserve...

, sauces and desserts. The raw grapes can be stored in a refrigerator for up to ten days, or frozen without loss of colour or flavour.