“Korean“ muscat grapes have become TikTok sensation

Tengrinews.kz - Social media platforms continue to drive food trends worldwide, and Kazakhstan is no exception. Following the recent buzz around "Dubai chocolate," muscat grapes, often referred to as "Korean" grapes, have captured the attention of TikTok users and food enthusiasts. Here's why these grapes are trending and how much they cost.

A trending crunchy delight

On TikTok, numerous videos have already surfaced, showing people trying the "Korean" Muscat grapes and sharing their reactions on camera. One of the most popular videos was uploaded by the user julietasmr, an international blogger. In her clip, she tries the grapes, commenting on their large size and their satisfying crunch as she eats them on camera. The grapes look almost unreal, which adds to their appeal. The key feature of the Muscat grapes is their crisp texture when bitten into.

@julietasmr 📌구매링크👉프로필 상단에 링크있습니다 📌건강에도 좋은 셀레늄 샤인머스켓 🍇공구중🍇입니다 . 🍇진짜 샤인머스켓의 제철은? 샤인머스켓은 만생종으로 10월부터 제철! ​가을의 햇살을 받아 알이 커지고 껍질이 연해지며 일교차로 인해 당도가 올라가는 만생종 "샤인머스켓" 진한 망고향​ 달콤함을 품을 때까지 아삭한 식감에 도달할 때까지 충분히 기다려주고 ​ 10월 이후 출하되는 샤인머스켓이 가장 맛있는 샤인머스켓 입니다 ​🍇셀레늄 특허 샤인머스켓 비타민E보다 1800배나 높은 항산화 능력을 가진 영양소인 '셀레늄'이 풍부한 셀레늄 샤인머스켓에는 특허 기술이 담겨져 있습니다. #파밍담 #샤인머스켓 #샤인머스캣 #셀레늄샤인머스켓 #특허샤인머스켓 #언니가먹어줄게 #틱톡푸드 #먹방ASMR #먹방 #추천 #fyp #줄리엣먹방 #JULIETASMR #asmr #mukbang ♬ 오리지널 사운드 - JULIET ASMR

The video has garnered 46 thousand reposts and more than two thousand comments. Some users note that they can’t keep up with trends, and others are already interested in trying.

"It’s sweeter than regular grapes, though honestly, the only difference is the sweetness and crunch. Not sure it’s worth the price, but it’s good overall," "These grapes are so expensive," "It tastes like regular grapes, just seedless and overpriced," and, "Share some with me!" people write in the comments.

The trend has now reached Kazakhstan, where local bloggers are actively sharing their experiences tasting this grape variety on camera.

A few days ago, influencer Damelya Sweet, who has about 1.4 million followers, shared her own review of the trending "Korean" grape on social media. In her video, she described the grape as "unbelievably sweet," further fueling interest and excitement for this variety in Kazakhstan.

@damelya_sw_

Очень сладкий, прям невозможно 🤓😝

♬ оригинальный звук - Damelya Sweet

Blogger Ainura, known as rmznv.ka on TikTok, joined the trend by posting a video in which she samples the popular "Korean" grape variety. She mentioned that the grapes were seedless and that she really enjoyed them.

@rmznv.ka кто пробовал? Как вам 🌚 #виноград #тренд #мускатныйвиноград #мукбанг #асмр #fyp ♬ Cooking, bossa nova, adults, light(950693) - Kids Sound

Meanwhile, Astana-based TikTok user anelie.alt shared her review, noting that while the grapes are tasty, they may not be worth the high price. She revealed that her husband bought the grapes for her at 9,000 tenge, a cost she attributed to the high demand.

@anelie.alt 😤Вы уже пробовали? Как вам? За сколько купили? 😤#шайнмускат #shinemuscat ♬ оригинальный звук - anelie.alt

"In Almaty, it costs 5000 tenge," "In our city, it’s 11,300 - Astana," "In Karaganda, I saw it for 15,000 tenge today per kilogram," "It seems that this trend hasn’t reached Taraz yet, and that’s good. This type of grape costs 1400 tenge here," people share in the comments.

Prices for "Korean" Grapes

Tengrinews.kz also decided to find out how much this variety of grapes costs. Entrepreneurs quickly spotted the new goldmine, and advertisements for sales started appearing on Instagram.

In Astana, this bunch is sold for 7,000 tenge.

Screenshot: Instagram

In Almaty, one of the fruit shops offers to buy a kilogram for 4,500 tenge. They clarify that this is not a counterfeit, but the original, and that the quantity of this grape is limited.

Many sellers on Instagram prefer to respond via direct message to avoid revealing the price immediately. However, judging by the comments on such posts, the demand for this product is noticeable.

On one popular marketplace, we found that this grape is sold for 6,875 tenge per kilogram.

Screenshot: arbuz.kz

What the Muscat grape is

According to some sources, Shine Muscat was developed in Japan. This variety of grape, created through crossbreeding other varieties, was produced by the National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (NIFTS) in Japan in 1988.

The organization's website provides a detailed description of the variety.

"It has large yellow-green berries, crisp flesh texture, muscat flavor, high soluble solids concentration and low acidity. Shine Muscat' resulted from a cross of Akitsu-21 and 'Hakunan' (V. vinifera) made in 1988. Akitsu-21 is a hybrid of 'Steuben' (V. labruscana) × 'Muscat of Alexandria' (V. vinifera)," the article states.

In 2006, it was officially registered under Japan's plant variety and seed law.

The article also mentions that the fruit of the Shine Muscat variety ripens in mid to late August.

"Berry weight averaged 10.0 g and 12.4 g in seeded and seedless fruit production, respectively. The berry has a muscat flavor, and crispy and juicy flesh. Astringency is not sensed," the article notes.

Shine Muscat then made its way from Japan to South Korea and China. It was Korea that began exporting this grape, which is why it became known as the "Korean" grape. This variety gained popularity in China. Over the past five years, it has been rapidly capturing the market, and thanks to the new trend, this fruit is having its moment. However, before ordering and eating it, make sure you don't have an allergy to it.

Earlier, "Dubai chocolate" sparked debates on social media. Bloggers and celebrities raved about Dubai chocolate, claiming it's the best they've ever tasted. But doctors warned that this sweet treat is extremely dangerous both for your figure and your overall health.

Some fraudsters have taken advantage of the trend. In Astana, city police identified criminals who were scamming people by advertising expensive Dubai chocolate on social media.