Why Witch Finger Grapes Now Go By A Sweeter Name

Food plays a role in most holidays, but for many, spookiness is only a factor come Halloween. For instance, there's a classic Spooktober game where an adult puts something like peeled grapes in a box and has children reach inside. Then, the grown-up tells the kids those are actually eyeballs they're feeling (via The Spruce). If only you could add witches' fingers to the mix! Unfortunately, the Witch Finger variety of grapes is only available from mid to late summer, per Eat Like No One Else.

It's a shame, because trick-or-treaters would love them. Since Witch Fingers are harvested when they're most ripe, they're particularly sweet, even though this shortens their shelf life, according to Bon Appétit. Their taste is similar to a red grape or plum, and Luv 2 Garden explains that this goes nicely with bitter, salty, and sour flavors. Witch Fingers also give you a satisfying crunch when you bite into them, due to their low skin-to-flesh ratio.

There are different sub-types of this strain, but the main variety (which gives them their name) is dark and elongated, resembling a stereotypical crone's digits. One look through their slightly see-through skin will tell you these grapes are seedless, too. They can be found in some specialty stores, but not often; they're hard to cultivate, making them rare. Plus, as Gardening Know How notes, there's only one commercial grower of Witch Fingers. Besides, if you do find them, you won't even see them labeled as Witch Finger grapes anymore.