Grape Variety · Year-Round
Thompson Seedless Grape
Thompson Seedless (also called "Sultana") is the most widely cultivated table grape in the world. Green, sweet, mild, and entirely seedless, these versatile grapes are perfect for snacking straight from the cluster. They're also the foundation of golden raisins — one of the most useful dried fruits in baking.
Available year-round from California and Chile, Thompson Seedless represents convenience and consistency. Their mild flavor and oblong shape make them the ultimate lunchbox grape.
Species: Vitis vinifera (European wine grape species)
Flavor Profile: Sweet, mild, and pleasant with subtle flavor. Not as intense or complex as Concord or specialty varieties, but perfectly balanced for fresh eating.
Texture: Crisp, crunchy flesh with oblong shape. Completely seedless — the hallmark of this variety.
Availability: Year-round. Domestic (California) peak is August through October; Chilean grapes fill winter months.
Look for clusters with plump, firm berries that are bright green (yellowish-green is also fine). The stems should be green and flexible. Avoid shriveled, soft, or leaking berries.
Thompson Seedless grapes should feel heavy for their size, indicating good juice content. A slight white bloom on the skin indicates freshness.
Peak Season: August through October for California-grown; available year-round with Chilean imports during winter months.
Store in the refrigerator in a ventilated bag or container. Keep as dry as possible to prevent mold. Thompson Seedless will keep for 1–2 weeks refrigerated.
Wash only just before eating. For a refreshing snack, freeze whole seedless grapes — they become like little icy treats. Frozen grapes also work as elegant cocktail ice cubes that don't dilute drinks.
Fresh Eating: The classic table grape — perfect for snacking straight from the cluster. Seedless convenience makes them ideal for lunch boxes and cheese boards.
Roasting: Roast at 425°F with olive oil and thyme until they blister and burst, developing intense, jammy sweetness. Pair with cheese and charcuterie.
Golden Raisins: When dried, Thompson Seedless becomes golden raisins — essential for oatmeal raisin cookies, Irish soda bread, and baking. Soak raisins in flour before folding into batters to prevent them from sinking.
Wine & Beverages: Thompson Seedless can be pressed into juice or fermented into light wines.
Golden Raisins: Thompson Seedless is the primary grape for golden raisins, which are traditionally treated with sulfur dioxide to maintain their lighter color during drying (in contrast to natural brown raisins).
Drying: Sun-dried or oven-dehydrated Thompson Seedless grapes concentrate the flavors and create a sweet, chewy snack. Home dehydration produces superior flavor.
Storage: Dried raisins keep for months in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator. Store in airtight containers to prevent hardening.
Vitamins & Minerals: Good source of vitamins C and K. One cup provides about 104 calories, 1.4g of fiber, and 27% of the daily value for vitamin K.
Antioxidants: While not as high in anthocyanins as darker varieties, Thompson Seedless contains resveratrol and other polyphenols associated with health benefits.
Raisins: Golden raisins concentrate sugars and nutrients. A quarter cup of raisins provides 25% of the daily value for iron and is an excellent energy source.
Thompson Seedless was named after William Thompson, a vineyard owner in California who popularized the variety in the 1870s.
California produces the majority of the world's raisins, with Thompson Seedless being the dominant variety. In some years, California produces more raisins than Turkey — the historical raisin capital.
The development of seedless grapes was revolutionary for table grape consumption, making grapes infinitely more convenient to eat and dramatically increasing their popularity.