University of Florida, Associate Professor, Dr. Ali Sarkhosh met with Levy residents to discuss Vitis rotundifolia, commonly called muscadine, scuppernong, bullaces or bullet grape. During his presentation, Sarkhosh cited a study (Habibi et. al., 2024) on the nutritional value of peel and flesh of muscadine genotypes. Eight purple skinned muscadine including the commercial cultivars ‘Paulk’ and ‘Supreme’ were investigated.

Studies indicate that consuming seeds and skin would yield flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamins and fiber. Sarkhosh stated there were anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties and potential cardiovascular benefits linked to muscadine grape consumption.

TASTE-TEST

Sarkhosh provided Supreme, Paulk, Triumph, Noble, Carlos, Hall and Southern Home grapes for taste-testing. These varieties are self-fruitful and suitable for sandy well-drained soils and climate of Levy County. Participants compared sweetness, flesh texture, skin thickness, seed size and number of seeds. The freeze dried muscadine (Sarkhosh et al., 2023) were delicious as were the fresh grapes. Joyce S. said, “these grapes are excellent.” Several participants said they plan to plant muscadine in their landscapes.

RESULTS

One extension client, L. Garner, planted muscadine vines after visiting the ‘Triumph’ and ‘Noble’ vines at Levy Extension. She appreciated the information and living demonstration. Mrs. Garner reported, “I must have gotten … 6 gallons of [‘Carlos’] grapes, a ridiculous amount of grapes” and was able to put up several jars of muscadine jam. Check out links below for growing , pruning and preserving muscadines. Comment, email or call with questions. Until next time – Happy Gardening!

Anderson, P., Sarkhosh, A., Huff, D., Breman, J., 2020, University of Florida, The muscadine grape, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS100

Edmonds, B.L., (2022, February 4), Growing a Green Thumb; Pruning Grapevine, University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Levy County, https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/levyco/2022/02/04/growing-a-green-thumb-pruning-grapevine/

Sarkhosh, A., Habibi, F., Sargent, S.A., 2023, University of Florida, Freeze-Dried Muscadine Grape: a New Product for Health-Conscious Consumers and the Food Industry, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1468

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