eating grapes

eating grapes 【ぶどうを食べる時】

okay, i know what you're thinking.

grapes? you're writing a blog about eating GRAPES? how hard is it??

yeah, i know, but hear me out.

the first time i had grapes in japan, i was hanging out at a friends' house. she brought out grapes for dessert, and i promptly popped one in my mouth, like usual, and began to chew without thinking too much about it.

my friend, however, looked at me like i had just stuck a grape in my nose and started dancing around the room.

horrified, almost.

no, no, she hastily explained, you don't eat the skin! (you silly foreigner! sidenote: same goes for apples too)

that's right, here in japan, you peel grapes before eating them.

first of all, grapes are much bigger than their american counterparts (at least the ones i remember), ranging from 1～3 inches. this also makes the whole 'eating them whole' bit kinda hard.

these are hakata pione -- big and sweet!

for the sake of size, this is your average spoon. pretty big.

so the best way to go about these guys is to first cut them in half.

pinch the skin-side with your thumb and middle finger and the grape should pop right out! 

and THAT my friends, is how to eat grapes in japan (without getting weird looks).