October 10, 2024, 10:54 am | Read time: 4 minutes

Quite a few people have grapevines in their gardens. Not only can you harvest your own grapes, but thanks to them, you can also give your garden a fairytale character with little space. myHOMEBOOK editor Franka Kruse-Gering reveals how to process the harvest.

Turning grapes into juice instead of wine

Making wine is a very time-consuming process that also requires a lot of equipment. As a rule, it is not worthwhile for the standard harvest from the garden. Grape juice, on the other hand, is less complicated to make and is also healthy and delicious.

What you need:

• First and foremost, it is important to use boiled, i.e., sterile bottles into which you can pour the finished juice.
• A steam juicer is recommended as it is suitable for small quantities and you don’t have to remove the stems from the berries.
• Optionally, you can add some sugar to the juice.

How to prepare grape juice with a steam juicer:

• The grapes must be washed thoroughly.
• Then, place them, including the stems, in the steam juicer.
• As soon as the water boils, the insert with the grapes can be placed in the juicer.
• As grapes release a lot of juice, the first juice should be drained after around 15 minutes.
• Once all the juice has been drained, you have the option of adding sugar to the grape juice to taste.
• Finally, the juice must be boiled again briefly and poured directly into bottles.
• It is important to fill the bottles completely and remove any foam before sealing.

Note: The juice will keep for about a year if stored in a dark place.

Turning grapes into compote

Grandma used to make grape compote for Christmas. So why not indulge in nostalgia and make your own if you have plenty of grapes in the garden?

What you need:

• Thoroughly cleaned preserving jars (approximate size 500 milliliters).
• A slightly larger pot should be provided. This should be higher than the jars.
• Optionally, you should have sugar ready.

How to process grapes into compote:

• The first step is to remove the stems from the grapes and wash them thoroughly.
• The jars are filled to the brim with grapes.
• Depending on the weather, the fruit may be quite sweet. You should still add at least a tablespoon of sugar to the jars.
• The jars must be filled to the brim with water.
• Once the jars have been placed in the pot, fill it with water to about one centimeter below the jars and bring it to the boil.
• The jars filled with grapes should simmer on a low heat for about half an hour. The jars should then be turned upside down to cool.

More on the topic

From your own harvest Pickling and preserving cucumbers correctly

Visible after the harvest Why do some apples turn glassy?

For perfect enjoyment Harvesting and storing blackberries properly

Making your own grape jam

In addition to juice and compote, grape jam is a wonderful way to process grapes when you have a surplus. The jam also makes a wonderful little gift.

What you need:

• A pot is important for making the jam.
• Gelling sugar gives the grape jam the right consistency.
• A hand blender is recommended if you don’t want any pieces of skin in the jam.
• You will need preserving jars to bottle the jam later.
• A lemon or some lemon juice to help the jelly set.
• A small bowl for the gelling test.

How to turn grapes into jam:

• The grapes should be washed well and de-stemmed.
• Then place them in the pot. To prevent the grapes from burning, it is advisable to add a little more water.
• If the grapes have seeds, remove them from the heat after about 20 minutes and press them through a sieve.
• Bring everything to the boil in the pan together with the sugar, the amount of which depends on the quantity of grapes, and leave to simmer for ten minutes.
• If you have seedless grapes and have not passed them through a sieve, you can use a hand blender at this point.
• Now it’s time for the jelly test. To do this, pour a little jam into a cool bowl. When the jam has cooled to the desired consistency, the cooking process can be completed.
• Finally, pour the hot grape jam into jars. These should be sealed immediately and left to cool upside down.