Muscadine grapes are native to the Southeastern United States. They are the state fruit of North Carolina.
Muscadines grow wild around here. There are some around the little wetland area down Meadowbrook Terrace. They grow on the banks of the rivers in just about any disused land. We used to go pick tons of them and make really good flavorful jelly. (Or syrup, if it doesn’t gel.)
Now they are being cultivated. Vineyards make Muscadine wine. A lot of acreage that used to grow tobacco is being converted to vineyards.
Muscadines have very thick skin. The skin is 40” of the grape. They are tough and chewy. In my opinion they are for jelly.
Where you can pick Muscadine Grapes
They grow Muscadine grapes at many of the pick-your-own orchards. Call ahead to see what’s in season.
Skytop Orchard This is where I’ve picked Muscadines.
Pinnacle Mtn Road
Flat Rock
828-692-7930
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
170 Stepp Orchard Drive
828-685-9083
Justus Orchard
187 Garren Rd.
828-974-1232
Owenby Orchards
Edneyville
828-685-9917
McKinney Small Fruit
Fletcher
828-891-8947
Muscadines are good for you
They are super high in antioxidant, as high as 6,800 per 100 grams. Red grapes have 739 per 100 grams. That’s a big difference! It’s because of their thick skins. They have 6 to 8 times as much antioxidants as whole blueberries.
They are high in natural resveratrol and ellagic acid phytonutrients, antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory and potential cancer fighters.
Want to know more? Check the The North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association, Inc. (NCMGA) website: www.northcarolinamuscadinegrapeassociation.org
