Growers and Grocers

The Thomcord grape is emerging from California’s San Joaquin Valley farmer’s markets into wider distribution, according to this news item at the USDA. The new hybrid, a cross between the Thompson and the Concord, offers the deep-black skin of the Concord, a milder version of that grape’s taste, and the seedlessness of the Thompson.

One doesn’t often see Concord grapes here in California, but the Thompson lacks flavor, so I’ll keep an eye out for the new variety. It’s still a few years from supermarket-level distribution, but I imagine I’ll see it at Bay Area farmers’ markets soon (especially since most of the growers who come to our local markets drive from the Central Valley).