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How to check grapes for bugs

Does it need checking? Not commonly infested in the USA; sometimes infested in Israel. Method: soak and wash the bunches, then look at each grape. (Rav Moshe Vaya)

Rav Vaya’s rating

USA✓not commonly infested (muchzak k’naki)
Israel★sometimes infested (mi’ut hamatzui)

Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 938 (Grapes)

Which bugs

  • A worm inside the grape. The sign is a hole or a dark spot that goes into the grape. (Rav Moshe Vaya)

How to check

  1. Remove damaged grapes. Split large, tight bunches into several smaller parts.
  2. Soak the bunches in water with a little dish soap, about 3 minutes.
  3. Wash each bunch well under running water, on all sides and between the grapes.
  4. Green grapes: when eating, look at each grape. If there is a hole or a dark spot going into the grape, cut it open there and look for a worm inside.
  5. Black grapes, or grapes grown by Arab farmers: cut open a sample of about 10%. If you find infestation, open all the grapes.
  6. Grapes for making wine do not need checking. After the wine is made, strain it through a fine strainer, such as a flour sifter. (Rav Moshe Vaya)

Sources

  • Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 938 (rating).
  • Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “How to Find Worms in Summer Fruits” (published by Machon Aliya).
  • Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (published by Machon Aliya).
  • Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “Washing Fruits and Vegetables” (published by Machon Aliya).
  • cRc: separate a large bunch into 3 or 4 smaller bunches and rinse under cold water. (Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide)

Related

References: cRc — Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide · Rav Moshe Vaya — “How to Find Worms in Summer Fruits” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew) · Rav Moshe Vaya — “Tu BiShvat Without Worms: All the Fruits and How to Check Them” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew) · Rav Moshe Vaya — “Washing Fruits and Vegetables” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew)

Source: Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, p. 938