Introducing Jelly Drops Grapes and 5 Things to Do With Them

by Dorothy Reinhold on July 17, 2015


Print This Post Print This Post Introducing Jelly Drops Grapes | Delicious cross between Thompson Seedless and Concord Grape | ShockinglyDelicious.com

If a pale green, thin-skinned Thompson Seedless grape married a dark purple, juicy, seedy, thick-skinned Concord, what would their offspring look like? And even more importantly, since we’re talking grapes, what would it taste like?

The answer is Jelly Drops™ Grapes, just coming into stores right now, and worth the wait. This child has all the best characteristics of both parents — thin skin, no seeds, juicy, a lovely dark purple color and a fragrance that demands you reach for more.

The flavor is rich, earthy, even a bit winey (in a good way!). They are a rich-tasting, healthy snack that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Once called the Thomcord Grape, they have been rebranded with a cooler name and are now available more widely. Thank you, Bakersfield farmers, for planting more.

Friends, this is your new grape.

Introducing Jelly Drops Grapes | Delicious cross between Thompson Seedless and Concord Grape | ShockinglyDelicious.comGrown: Central California (Bakersfield area)
Season: now until September
Price: Range from $3.99-$5.99 for a 1-pound container.
Storage: Keep refrigerated in the vegetable crisper during these hot summer weeks. Don’t wash first; wash them right before you eat them.
Available: In California, find them at Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, and Vintage Grocers (Malibu). Elsewhere, ask your produce manager to get them in for you. 
Distributed by
:  Exclusively distributed by Melissa’s Produce.

Delicious ways to use Jelly Drops Grapes

1. Best way: Eat out of hand.
2. Pickle some!
3. Throw them into a spicy hot tuna salad — sweet and hot is an unbeatable combo!
4. Dice them into a Hatch Chile, Grape and Grilled Onion Salsa.
5.  Roast them on a flatbread with Gruyere, rosemary and red onions, for the best non-red pizza you will ever have.

Jelly Drop Grapes container on ShockinglyDelicious.com

Disclosure: Melissa’s Produce sent the grapes for review. As always, all opinions are my own.

{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }

Kay September 13, 2022 at 9:13 am

Will jelly drop grapes make good wine?

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold September 14, 2022 at 1:14 pm

Kay,
Gosh, what an interesting question. I honestly don’t know!

Reply

April Pettit August 25, 2020 at 11:32 am

I am not sure where you got your “Jelly Drops” from but I bought some a couple days ago and every grape has a seed or more. A few even had 3 seeds. Sorry, but I can’t say that I am impressed with the flavor or the seeds.

Reply

KT July 21, 2015 at 7:43 am

These made it to Indiana and they’re glorious! They’re not the same taste as stealing a few Concords off the grape arbor, but there’s no spitting seeds!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 21, 2015 at 6:30 pm

KT,
I am so glad you could taste them! They’re magnificent!

Reply

Sabrina July 19, 2015 at 2:08 am

I love that they are seedless. Both our kids are obsessed with grapes, especially if they aren’t green!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 19, 2015 at 6:41 pm

Sabrina,
Then these are for YOU!

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Michelle @ The Complete Savorist July 18, 2015 at 10:50 pm

I must find these. They sound delicious.

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Dorothy Reinhold July 19, 2015 at 6:42 pm

Michelle,
Do ask for them with your produce manager. They are SO good!

Reply

allie @ Through Her Looking Glass July 18, 2015 at 7:11 pm

Sounds fabulous Dorothy! These look soooo delicious. I always learn so much here!

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sippitysup July 18, 2015 at 6:34 pm

It works for Concord, so I’d say your roasted direction rules the day. GREG

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Dorothy Reinhold July 19, 2015 at 6:42 pm

Greg/Sippity,
Roasting grapes is prime, and sublime.

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Mary July 18, 2015 at 8:34 am

What? No seeds?!! I’m rushing right out to find these. My grandparents and parents had “grape arbors” filled with these sweet purple grapes. It only takes one bite to blast me back to those moments of savoring them straight off the vine and slathering my mother’s homemade concord grape jelly on buttered toast. I can’t wait to try the seedless variety. Thanks, Dorothy!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 18, 2015 at 1:43 pm

Mary,
Try Vintage Grocers in Malibu.

Reply

Liz Schmitt July 18, 2015 at 8:21 am

I cannot wait to find some of these grapes here in San Diego!

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Katherine July 18, 2015 at 8:08 am

Wow, I’ll have to be on the lookout for these next time I’m at the grocery store! Might even try pickling them – after I eat a bunch fresh!

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Alisa Fleming July 18, 2015 at 7:51 am

Brilliant renaming on those – I’ll have to keep my eye out for them!

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Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom July 18, 2015 at 5:03 am

Oh my–so so excited to try these. My husband LOVES concord grapes and his mom used to make him a concord grape pie, but I am way too lazy to seed those grapes before making a pie.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold July 18, 2015 at 5:07 am

Kristen,
This is the answer for you!

Reply

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