With the rise of GMOs and concerns about organic versus non-organic produce, people are bound to ask the question, “Are cotton candy grapes genetically modified?”
People have been understandably skeptical about a grape that tastes like cotton candy. What wizardry is afoot that makes these particular grapes taste like cotton candy?
So, are these cotton candy grapes genetically modified in a sinister way?
Well, no. Cotton candy grapes are not genetically modified. They were created by breeding different strains of grapes and experimenting on them in test tube plant testing.
So, Are Cotton Candy Grapes Genetically Modified?
Cotton candy grapes are a special kind of white table grape that is sweet and has been developed to taste like cotton candy.
Note: Cotton candy grapes do not actually look like cotton candy! It is only their flavor that is different. They have the same appearance as a regular white table grape.
Cotton candy grapes are a hybrid variety of grapes that resulted from breeding several different grape varieties.
Why They Were Created
Their inventor, David Cain, stated that the purpose of creating cotton candy grapes is to bring back the natural flavors of grapes that people have stripped away through decades of plant breeding.
The delicious flavors have been lost in an effort to breed varieties that would keep it from spoiling sooner and survive in different climates.
Taste
Cain’s goal was to bring grapes back to their roots and replicate the sweetness of grapes that existed before modern agriculture prioritized high production volume over maintaining their natural flavors.
Diversity
Another motivation for producing cotton candy grapes and other varieties was to provide a shopping experience similar to that of other fruits where an array of options is available.
As an example, there will often be multitudes of different apples in a typical supermarket, usually ten or more varieties to choose from.
The makers of cotton candy grapes, Grapery, wanted there to be just as many options for grape lovers as there are for apple lovers.
Note: Cotton candy grapes were made by crossing two other grape species, a concord-like grape and a variety of common grape called Vitis vinifera.
What Does It Mean To Be Genetically Modified?
Even though cotton candy grapes are the product of scientific experiments, they are not technically considered a genetically modified food (GMO).
Why is that?
Because the definition of a GMO is a plant, animal, or microorganism that has had its DNA modified or changed using human technology to transfer the DNA from one organism to another organism.
Their Genes Haven’t Been Modified
Cotton candy grapes do not fit this definition because no part of their DNA structure is being altered or modified through the use of artificial human technology.
Note: Making cotton candy grapes is more similar to mixing breeds of dogs or cultivating different types of flowers.
Selective Crossbreeding
By mixing different breeds of existing grapes, you can develop a combination that can deliver a cotton candy taste to the human tongue.
Examples of GMO Foods
Common examples of real GMO foods include corn, soybeans, potatoes, and summer squash.
These foods are made by inserting DNA into an organism’s genome through a deliberate and artificial process.
The GMO process is often not done to merely change the flavor of food but to increase the survivability and longevity of a particular food to be grown at a massive scale for human consumption.
Cotton candy grapes, however, prioritized flavor.
Even if Cotton Candy Grapes Are Not Genetically Modified, Surely They Are Not Healthy, Right?
Other than wondering about “cotton candy grapes are they genetically modified?” you might be asking yourself if cotton candy grapes are healthy.
Sure, they aren’t genetically modified, but they taste like candy, which may be typically not as good for you.
They are also intentionally bred by humans, implying that they have been manipulated to produce the sweet flavor.
The good news is that cotton candy grapes are perfectly healthy. Well, as healthy as other kinds of white table grapes.
Although cotton candy grapes are higher in sugar than other varieties of white grapes, they are still considered healthy food.
Here are a few ways that they can positively contribute to your health.
Prevents Cancer and Heart Disease
Cotton candy grapes contain antioxidants, which protect the cells in your body from free radicals.
Note: Free radicals are molecules produced when you digest food, smoke, or are exposed to radiation that can cause some forms of cancer and heart disease.
Helps Your Body Fight Infections
Cotton candy grapes also contain a high amount of vitamin C, a nutrient that can help your body fight against viral and bacterial infections.
If you have high levels of vitamin C in your diet, you will be better equipped to deal with onset or sudden short-term illnesses.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Cotton candy grapes have a low sodium content, making them great additions to diet plans that require low sodium intake.
A lower sodium diet will reduce your blood pressure and help you achieve longevity and better health outcomes.
Cotton candy grapes also have high potassium content, which is another way to balance your blood pressure.
If you have a low potassium diet, you have a greater risk of having high blood pressure.
Protects Against Developing Diabetes
Even though cotton candy grapes are considered higher in sugar, they do not have an overall detrimental effect on your sugar levels.
How is this possible?
Because grape sugar is low on the glycemic index, a rating that determines a food’s ability to raise your blood sugar quickly.
Note: Diabetes is a medical condition where someone’s body becomes unable to control the blood sugar levels in their blood. This leads to harmful health consequences like sugar spikes and sugar crashes.
Because cotton candy grapes are low on the glycemic index, they can decrease blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity, which helps your body better control its blood sugar levels.
Do Cotton Candy Grapes Actually Taste like Cotton Candy?
You might have a hard time believing it, but yes, cotton candy grapes taste like a pack of freshly-spun, state fair cotton candy.
Many people cannot taste the difference between cotton candy and cotton candy grapes.
Your taste buds may vary, though. Some people think cotton candy grapes taste more like vanilla or caramel rather than cotton candy.
Because of the intense sweetness of the grape, you might find it too sweet to detect the flavor accurately.
Still, for many people, cotton candy grapes do taste like cotton candy.
FAQs
Before you go, here are a few other common questions about cotton candy grapes.
Are Cotton Candy Grapes Natural?
Cotton candy grapes are all-natural, and it’s okay with a Mediterranean diet.
The unique part does not come from anything artificial but rather a natural breeding process that could have occurred in the wild.
The fact that humans intentionally created the breed does not make it less natural, only less accidental.
Are Cotton Candy Grapes Rare?
People consider cotton candy grapes rare because they are typically only available in specific seasonal settings.
They also are not propagating on their own in the wild, so you can only get them from people who produce them.
What Is So Special about Cotton Candy Grapes?
Cotton candy grapes are special because they result from grape plant breeding that produces a similar sweet taste similar to cotton candy.
Final Thoughts
If you are asking, “are cotton candy grapes genetically modified?” then the answer is definitely no.
Despite not being genetically modified, they are the product of specialized and directed human plant breeding techniques to produce their flavor variation.
This breeding has not changed the health and nutritional benefits they provide compared with similar grapes.
Cotton candy grapes are a special breed with a distinctly sweet flavor that many people have come to appreciate from mid-July to early September when they are in season.