Let’s get one thing straight right away. Wine is BY FAR THE BEST things to make out of grapes, but it is not by any means the ONLY thing that one can make from this miracle fruit…

The first thing that comes to mind is grape seed oil. As can be inferred from the name, the stuff comes from grape seeds (most of which come from Italy by the way). The first and most obvious use for grape seed oil is in the kitchen. Grape seed oil is an excellent frying oil due to its very high smoke point which allows for the application of some fairly aggressive heat without the risk of burning. Second, grape seed oil is obscenely healthy. Grape seed oil has no cholesterol, it is very high in all kinds of vitimins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, and it is very low in calories when compared with other cooking fats. In addition, the flavor of grape seed oil is fairly neutral making it appropriate for applications where other flavors are the stars, and the fatty components are part of the supporting cast.

And grape seed oil’s uses do not stop at the kitchen door. In fact the most important application of this great product is in the cosmetics industry. Grape seed oil is used frequently in wrinkle creams, shaving creams, hair care products, lip balms, and suntan oils as well…

The other grape product other than wine (and jelly and juice, etc.) that comes to mind is cream of tartar. Cream of tartar which is a potassium acid salt of tartaric acid which is obtained by scraping the whitish, powdery substance from the inside of used wine barrels. OK, agreed, not the sexsiest subtance in the world, but a grape by-product nonetheless. Cream of tartar is essential in the production of baking powder, in baking to stabilize egg whites when heat is applied, and is extensively used in the preparation of frozen vegetables to prevent discoloration.

I’m SURE that there are other uses for the fruit of the vine, but these are the two that come most readily to my mind. If anyone thinks of any others, please post them!

TOM CIOCCO