Grapes - Fruits from the Vine

Grapes, passion fruit and kiwis fall into this category. Melons are also grown on vines.

Grapes have been cultivated for thousands of years, mainly to produce wine. Today, the grapes we consume with enthusiasm are specifically grown for eating. Perfect with cheese, in desserts or used to enhance certain seafood or chicken dishes and salads, grapes also make lovely garnishes. Handle these delicate fruits with care and look fro bunches without any trace of following.

The kiwi fruit has a fuzzy brown skin which hides its brilliant green, juicy flesh. Perfect as a garnish, kiwi puree is also delicious in mousse, ice cream, sherbet and jam.

The passion fruit vine bears a fragrant fruit with a distinctive sweet-sour flavor. This is one fruit where the crunchy seeds are designed to be eaten! Look for purple fruit with a wrinkled skin. Use them as a garnish or to make jams, drinks or sherbets.

Melons

Nothing beats a slice of icy cold melon on a hot day.

Nothing beats a slice of icy cold melon on a hot day. Their juicy sweetness leaves you ready for more. A melon's flesh is just about 95 percent water, so is it any wonder that they are just as refreshing as a cool drink?

Melons come in lots of shapes and sizes, but the most popular ones here are watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydew melons (although others are available).

Eat melons when they are perfectly ripe for optimum flavor. Aroma is a good way to test this -- they usually taste like they smell!

Watermelons are more difficult to test for ripeness due to their thick skin. Choose those that are firm with even coloration. It is best to purchase a piece from a cut melon -- look for firm, crisp, brightly colored flesh and a soft waxy rind.

Melons keep well in the refrigerator. If unripe when purchased, leave at room temperature for a few days until ripe, and then store in the refrigerator.

Melons are quite versatile and , due to their sweet, juicy flesh, complement many foods and flavorings. The recipes we have chosen for this section demonstrate this by teaming them with seafood, pastry and curry, to name but a few.