When one thinks of Concord grapes one thinks of glasses of dark purple juice and perhaps the only type of jelly that should ever go on bread.  What is it about Concords that makes them the most recognizable jelly in the United States and the grape juice most people drink?

From its humble New England beginnings to its rise in prominence, the Concord grape has had a unique journey to recognition.  This beautiful purple grape is an American as apple pie and its story is uniquely tied to U.S. history.

Grapes have been cultivated since 1,000 BC.  The majority of grapes got their origin in the Mediterranean though not the Concord grape.  The Concord grape got its start from a wild grape that was native to New England.  Ephraim Wales Bull took 20,000 native grapes and cultivated them until he developed what he found to be the perfect grape.  The Concord gets its name from Concord, Massachusetts where Ephraim successfully developed this grape in 1854.  The Welch's Grape Juice Company is now headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts after being headquartered in Westfield NY for many years. 

In 1865, dentist and Methodist minister, Dr. Thomas Welch was experimenting in his kitchen trying to find a way to keep grape juice from fermenting and turning into wine.  He believed that wine was inappropriate for communion because it could cause intoxication.  He and his family gathered 40 pounds of Concord grapes they had grown, made them into juice, sealed them with wax and boiled the bottles. This method based on Louis Pasteur's work successfully prevented fermenting yeast to form in the bottles.  It was used at the Methodist church for the Sacrament and orders soon began coming in.  Dr. Welch soon began producing 300 tons of grapes. Welch's was founded in 1869. Today there are 1,000 employees.  Trevor Bynum is Welch's President and CEO. 

Welch's again made innovation with grapes in 1918.  This time under the direction of Thomas Welch's son, Charles.  The jelly we are familiar with today was introduced as war rations.  It was called Grapelade and the American soliders loved it so much they were clamoring for it when they returned from the front lines. Welch's Concord Grape Jelly was released commercially in 1923.  The introduction of peanut butter into soldier's rations in WWII cemented the Concord grapes' place in our hearts and on our sandwiches.  

Ask the Fountain Man for a Grapelade Sundae

The peanut butter and jelly sandwich made its first appearance at the time and the rest is history!

Tis the Season

Concord and Niagara, the major grape varieties used to make the juice and jelly are harvested beginning in early September for Niagara followed by Concord in the middle of September.  Harvest for these varieties is wrapped up by the end of October. Unlike other fruits, once the grapes are cut from the vine, they will not ripen any further.  Grapes don't require direct sunlight to ripen and to develop good color.  

Behind the greatness of Welch's lies over 700 American farming families who cultivate  the mighty Concord grape in the Fall season.  The result is not just delicious juices, jellies and spreads, but a difference you can taste.