Cotton Candy Grapes Are Having Another Moment – Here’s How to Get Them

We’re having an extremely difficult time keeping up with all of the food hybrids that have been hitting menus and grocery store shelves as of late. Whether it’s an apple pie Oreo, fried egg taco shell, or the infamous Cronut, the creative forays into food science, creation, and production seemingly have no bounds.

One of the most unique contributions to the world of culinary infusions is the cotton candy grape, whose carnival-esque flavor profile is completely natural, all thanks to Mother Nature.

California-based Grapery has been distributing the product since early 2011, though the demand for the seasonal fruit has been unprecedented. And because the harvesting time is limited to a 40-day window in August and September, it’s been difficult for the company to keep up with an increase in orders. Unfortunately for us East Coasters, this has resulted in quite a few sold out signs in the produce sections of our favorite stores. (Whomp, whomp.)

Grapery

But now, thanks to Grapery’s updated website, we can officially confirm that cotton candy grapes are available at Wegman’s, Whole Foods, Sam’s Club, and Kroger. This means you can call ahead and ask if your new favorite vine-ripened fruit is in stock, saving you a trip if you’re late to the punch. (For a full list of stores that carry the summertime indulgence, click here.)

Perhaps the most important question is: Are they worth the hype? Frankly, we have a difficult time tasting the cotton candy flavor, though many argue it comes through strongly. Horticulturalist David Cain (who is not a rodeo clown or circus ringmaster) founded the grape by cross-pollinating two different species, resulting in an uber-sweet green variety whose taste resembles spun sugar.

Whether you can taste the carnival staple or not, one thing’s for certain: It’s a much healthier alternative to actual cotton candy. Though our favorite grape will always be one that is turned into wine.

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How To Make Bubble Tea at Home

Like so many beloved recipes, the story of bubble tea begins at a street food stall. It was in Taiwan in the 1980s that a vendor made the decision to combine milk tea, already a national favorite, and softened and sweetened tapioca pearls, a cherished Taiwanese dessert. It was an instant hit amongst Taiwanese who not only enjoyed its flavor but also loved the fun of sucking the oversized tapioca balls up through jumbo straws.

The trend quickly spread throughout Europe and America where storefronts exclusively devoted to bubble tea have emerged. The tea is referred to as boba in Taiwan, a word that means breasts, and while the pearls are often mixed with milk, tea, and fruit powders in retail shops, they are even tastier when combined with real fruit and other natural flavors.

Boba come in a wide variety of colors and flavors and are readily available in Asian markets as well as online, as are the wide straws required for a truly perfect glass of bubble tea. The drink is a favorite of adults and children alike and because it is such a treat to drink and kids won’t notice if you slip something healthy into it like green tea, almond milk, or fruit.

1. Create a simple syrup by bringing 1/4 cup of water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves. Cool to room temperature.
2. Prepare a cup of tea using your favorite variety. Use two tea bags to make it more robustly flavored. Discard the tea bags and cool the tea to room temperature.
3. The ratio of boba to water should be 1/4 cup boba to two cups of water. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.
4. Add the boba and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook gently for 15 minutes then remove from the heat.
5. Set the pan aside for an additional 15 minutes. Drain the boba in a colander then stir them together in a bowl with the simple syrup. The syrup will not only sweeten the boba but will also help keep them soft and chewy. Boba are best when they are freshly prepared but they can also be stored with the syrup in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
6. In a tall glass, combine the tea and the boba and pour your liquid of choice up to the top. Ideas include milk, almond milk, or fruit juice.
7. Add additional flavorings, if desired, and serve with a jumbo straw.

Black Bubble Tea

Supernummy

This bubble tea is for those who love a classic with its infusion of black tea and black tapioca pearls for an elegant finish. Get the recipe.

Chai Coconut Bubble Tea

MJ and Hungryman

The spicy virtues of chai and tropical kiss of coconut form a perfect union in this recipe that is sweetened with honey. Get the recipe.

Authentic Taiwanese Bubble Tea

Angel Wong’s Kitchen

In this recipe a Taiwanese native shares her aunt’s bubble tea recipe that includes red rose tea for a delicate finish. Get the recipe.

Strawberry Slushie Bubble Tea

A Beautiful Mess

Here’s a fun summer twist on bubble tea that incorporates strawberries and crushed ice. Get the recipe.

Strawberry Mango Bubble Tea

Super Healthy Kids

Fruity and pretty all at the same time, mango and strawberry combined with milk and boba make this a go-to for fussy kids who won’t be able to resist its charms. Get the recipe.

Matcha Bubble Tea

Spoon University

Healthy and tasty all at the same time, matcha is the star ingredient in this bubble tea recipe that swaps out regular milk for almond. Get the recipe.

— Head photo: Brit + Co.

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High Value Extruded Rice

Riceland Foods and Riviana Foods Inc. announced a multi-million dollar investment to build a rice extrusion facility in Jonesboro, Ark., to produce and market high value rice extruded products for domestic and international markets through their Rivland partnership.

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Culinex: Custom R&D

Seattle-based food product development consultancy CuliNex LLC acquired the former Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Tukwila, Wash. At the beginning of August, Culinex relocated to the facility, located at 360 Corporate Dr. N, in Tukwila.

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Sheet Pan Chicken with Roasted Broccoli and Potatoes

Everyone should have at least one meal that they can make without having to think too hard – a recipe that is easy, reasonably healthy, and totally delicious.

These chicken thighs with roasted potatoes and broccoli truly fit the bill. And the best part is that you only have one pan to clean up after dinner!

Continue reading "Sheet Pan Chicken with Roasted Broccoli and Potatoes" »

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Livestrong.com Identifies America’s Most Popular Foods

While the report showed that tracked eating habits have become healthier, it brought to light the hard fact that, overall, Americans still tend to consume produce grown with pesticides, as opposed to organically grown produce.  

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Dunkin' Donuts Cold Brew Coffee Packs

Dunkin' Donuts® Coffee at Home announced the launch of its all-new Dunkin' Donuts Cold Brew Coffee Packs, a "Brew-It-Yourself" take on the category that has the rich, smooth, full-bodied flavor of cold brew, and can be made at home in three easy steps. 

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Hilary’s Millet Medleys

Millet Medleys are made with a blend of ancient grain millet, extra virgin olive oil, organic veggies and protein-rich pulses – just heat and serve for a plant-based side dish or meal ready in minutes.

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This Nut Is Said to Kick Cravings for Unhealthy Foods

In an age where ab belts and man Spanx are still a thing, there’s no denying America’s obsessive need to be at the forefront of weight loss trips, tricks, and trends. But what if we told you the secret to curbing cravings for cookies and fries lies not in diet pills or hypnosis, but in a food itself?

According to a recent study published in Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, the almighty walnut may be responsible for eliminating that unstoppable urge to eat everything in your refrigerator.

Over a course of five days, ten clinically obese volunteers were given a smoothie that contained either a handful of walnut halves or a placebo with identical taste. Since the study was double blind, neither the participants or scientists were aware of the smoothie’s walnut content.

After consuming the smoothie, participants were asked to view a series of photos that ranged from high-fat foods and low-fat foods to non-food items. Scientists tracked their neurological responses through a process called functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Following the study, participants returned home and continued their normal diet for a month. They were then asked to come back in and repeat the MRI testing with the opposite smoothie. The result: Researchers found that walnut-based smoothies not only led to a suppressed appetite, but also the activation of the right insula—the part of the brain that manages your impulses, especially when it comes to food.

“Although we had previously observed that walnuts give a sense of fullness, here we demonstrated for the first time that walnuts can alter the way that our brains view food and impact our appetite,” said author Olivia Farr, Ph.D.

This is obviously only one study with a very small sample group, but it’s good news for those of us who are admittedly a little nutty. Continue to toss a handful in a salad or protein shake and you may be two steps ahead in this game we call dieting.

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Rebel Kitchen Coconut Water

The new coconut water has no refined sugar, additives, or preservatives - just 100% young green coconut water

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Lacto-Fermented Dill Pickles

These classic dill pickles get their characteristic tangy flavor through good old-fashioned lacto-fermentation. Simply make a saltwater brine, submerge the cucumbers in it with herbs and spices, then let the wonderful world of friendly microbes take over. As they eat the natural sugars in the cucumbers, they'll produce lactic acid, which will make the pickles nice and sour and perfectly preserved for longer-term storage. Get Recipe!

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Milwaukee Dill Refrigerator Pickles

These classic Milwaukee-style refrigerator pickles are flavored with layers upon layers of spice along with dill, garlic, and onion. Feel free to adjust the spice blend and aromatics to suite your own tastes. Don't like onion or garlic? Don't add them. Get Recipe!

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Umami Gyoza Dumplings

The new Umami Gyoza Dumplings are savory and come in three varieties: Chicken & Leek, Chicken & Shiitake and Pork & Leek.

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