Starlight is a seedless red grape. The fruit is generally round but can be elongated with a slight tapering towards the stem end. Berry size is medium, usually in the range of 18-20mm. The colour is a light red, slightly pink. The skin is easy to bite and has minimal impact on chewing, with no discernible bitterness. The flesh is fairly crisp with very good levels of sweetness and low acids. Flavour is limited, though at best the overall affect is of comforting exotic indulgence.
Starlight is an early season seedless red grape that is harvested shortly after Prime and just before or alongside Flame.
Good Fruit Guide Rating: ***
Starlight is a reliably sweet red seedless grape.
Sweet, crisp, early
Names: Starlight
Origin: Starlight is a pink mutation of the early white grape, Prime. The variety was developed and commercialised by Hoekstra Fruit Farms in South Africa and the Volcani Institute in Israel.
Grown in: South Africa, Egypt
Harvest & Availability: Harvest of Starlight in South Africa is between mid-November and mid-January; harvest in Egypt is end of May and mid-June. Supplies to UK are generally as follows:
- January: South Africa
- February: South Africa
- March:
- April:
- May:
- June: Egypt
- July:
- August:
- September:
- October:
- November:
- December: South Africa
Websites:
John Bahdurr –
Very good. I find them occasionally in supermarkets. Im chewing them right now. I find it kind of leaves a chewing gum or candy after taste after eating a couple. Which is nice.
Their taste is not deep, like say sweet celebration or Vitrol (black type). But its lightly present. Since its fairly easy to chew, it can be a nice introduction for little children.
Nick Ball –
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment on Starlight grapes. I agree with what you have said: it’s a very nice early red variety, and undemanding in flavour.
Regards,
Nick Bakk