Examine the grape texture. Ripe, healthy grapes should be firm and plump on all sides.

If a
grape is shriveled where the stem meets the fruit or if there are any signs of moldiness, the
grapes are not in good condition. You should also avoid grapes that have excess moisture
inside the bag, as this is often a sign that the grapes may be susceptible to mold or rot.

Look at the skin on the grapes. The best grapes will have a healthy shade to the
skin. Ripe red grapes should have a dark purple hue, as any signs of green indicate
that red grapes are not yet ripe. Ripe black grapes should have a full, rich shade of
bluish-black, and green grapes should have a yellowish hue.[3]
 In addition to skin tone, healthy grapes should also have a light silver-colored dusting
on the skin called bloom.
 Bloom is commonly mistaken for dirt, but it's actually the plant's way of protecting the
fruit from drying out or rotting.[4]

Check the stem. The stem of a healthy grape cluster should be green and flexible. If
the stem is brown or brittle, the grapes may be old or poorly-grown.[5] You should
also make sure that the majority of grapes are securely attached to the stem, as this
is considered a sign of healthy, well-grown grapes.[6]

Determine if grapes are in season. The climate in which a grape variety is grown
will affect when it ripens and how it tastes. The majority of each type of grape (green,
red, and black) generally tend to ripen in the same part of the growing season. There
are exceptions, of course, and each type's growing season may vary somewhat,
depending on where they are grown.[7]
 Green grapes typically ripen in the middle of the growing season. Ripe green grapes
should have a yellowish hue to the skin.[8]
 Red grapes tend to ripen fairly early in the growing season, though there are some
exceptions. Ripe red grapes should have a dark reddish-purplish hue without any
signs of green.
 Black grapes generally ripen in the early to middle part of the growing season. Ripe
black grapes should have a rich violet hue to the skin.

Choose a slightly sweeter grape for eating. Grapes can vary significantly in
sweetness from one type to another. In general, though, most people choose
sweeter grapes if they're being used as table grapes (for eating as they are). [9]
 Canadice, Concord, Himrod, Mars, Neptune, Niagara, Reliance, and
Thompson Seedless are among the most commonly-purchased table grapes
found in stores.