Shipping Korean/Kyoho Grapes Nationally within US
September 3, 2020 11:14 AM Subscribe
The devastatingly short Korean grape season is upon us. These grapes are also known as Kyoho grapes (if you've never had them, please do try them!!). These ridiculous delights are a gift in a bleak world.
My parents don't have access to a grocer who will sell these locally, and I am frantically trying to find an online supplier who will ship these grapes nationally within the continental US.
My searching and asking around has failed me and I turn to the Hive Mind for help. Hope me win the best daughter award!
Do you have access to the grapes in person? I would ship them myself, overnight in a Styrofoam cooler with ice packs to chill them.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 11:30 AM on September 3, 2020
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 11:30 AM on September 3, 2020
I had no idea that this was the case when I looked them up, but apparently this grape variety was somehow patented in my hometown?! If that's true (and I feel like that's a possibly dubious claim that's made its way to Wikipedia), the Wiederkehr Wine Cellars in Altus, Arkansas--where said patenting ostensibly happened--is fully operational. You should email them and ask them if they grow these and, if so, if they'll sell/ship you some fruit. Tell 'em your buddy from Altus (well, technically Ozark) sent ya!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:48 PM on September 3, 2020
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:48 PM on September 3, 2020
Response by poster: Thank y'all so much!! Both great tips. I also found a similar varietal called Niabell Grapes that are also sometimes sold as "Korean grapes" in California (I think they're all similar to Concord grapes), but haven't found any places yet that I can order and ship as a consumer.
posted by sums at 3:31 PM on September 3, 2020
posted by sums at 3:31 PM on September 3, 2020
Specialty Produce has a sharing app where people can tell you where they've found various produce items. I didn't look too hard but you might get some help there.
posted by Kangaroo at 4:07 PM on September 3, 2020
posted by Kangaroo at 4:07 PM on September 3, 2020
I've seen them in the past at Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley, CA. (They also have Concord grapes, which I love.) You could try calling to see if they'd ship.
posted by pinochiette at 6:37 PM on September 3, 2020
posted by pinochiette at 6:37 PM on September 3, 2020
There are multiple vendors selling them (as of today when I last went) at my local farmer's market in Southern California. I assume most of these farms are actually located in the central valley of California. There is one stand that only sells kyoho grapes, I can inquire next week if they ship. Where are your parents located?
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 9:31 PM on September 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 9:31 PM on September 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Providing an update for those who are interested + any future shippers of delicate grapes:
I could not find any retailer or farm that would sell these grapes directly to a consumer. My sister and I decided that we would purchase grapes from a Korean grocery here (specifically Niabell grapes) and ship them as suggested up thread. I procured a used Hello Fresh box with an insulating sleeve and gel packs from a coworker. We packaged it by placing a large frozen gel pack on the bottom, a thin foam strip, inserted a USPS medium-sized Priority box, packed the grapes into multiple separate plastic bags, and then placed another layer of thin packing foam strip with a smaller gel pack on top. We took the box to FedEx and shipped it overnight.
The grapes arrived today. Parents said the box was leaking from the gel pack, and the grapes are varying levels of squished because they are so delicate (and in our haste, we might have overpacked the box, combined with the weight of the freezer packs). But they are still delicious and mostly intact. My mother is in shock.
Thankfully our mother did not inquire too closely how much it cost to ship, because if she ever finds out how much it cost to overnight it, she'll murder my sister and me.
Thank y'all so much for your help!!
posted by sums at 1:11 PM on September 15, 2020
I could not find any retailer or farm that would sell these grapes directly to a consumer. My sister and I decided that we would purchase grapes from a Korean grocery here (specifically Niabell grapes) and ship them as suggested up thread. I procured a used Hello Fresh box with an insulating sleeve and gel packs from a coworker. We packaged it by placing a large frozen gel pack on the bottom, a thin foam strip, inserted a USPS medium-sized Priority box, packed the grapes into multiple separate plastic bags, and then placed another layer of thin packing foam strip with a smaller gel pack on top. We took the box to FedEx and shipped it overnight.
The grapes arrived today. Parents said the box was leaking from the gel pack, and the grapes are varying levels of squished because they are so delicate (and in our haste, we might have overpacked the box, combined with the weight of the freezer packs). But they are still delicious and mostly intact. My mother is in shock.
Thankfully our mother did not inquire too closely how much it cost to ship, because if she ever finds out how much it cost to overnight it, she'll murder my sister and me.
Thank y'all so much for your help!!
posted by sums at 1:11 PM on September 15, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sums at 11:27 AM on September 3, 2020