Muscat Love

FruitFriends, most of you now understand the way popular culture and random-access memory connects us to fruit. This week’s newsletter started out no differently when I heard there would be delicious Muskat Grapes in the West Coast boxes. Captain and Tennille’s famous 1976 cover version of the song “Muskrat Love” hit #4 on the Billboard Top 100, propelled in no small part by the admittedly awkward-when-you-really-think-about-it synthesizer sounds that simulate the noises of courting and ecstatic muskrats. It’s something you never forget. But lo! Imagine my dismay to discover that, according to a 2006 CNN public poll, Captain and Tennille’s “Muskrat Love” ranks SECOND on a list of the WORST songs ever recorded. One cnn.com user commented, “I would pay good money to have its lyrics, tune, and even the fact of its existence erased from my memory.” What happened to nostalgia? But then there are the oddly graphic lyrics about the muskrats “nibbling on bacon, chewing on cheese.” Perhaps I’ll stick to fruit from here on out.

Muscat Love! Muscat Grapes are one of the oldest known cultivated varieties. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania who analyzed containers from King Midas’ burial mound determined that Muscat Grapes were a primary component of the beverage served at his funeral feast. Muscats have a thicker skin than most grapes and have huge concentrations of antioxidant flavonoids in the skin. I personally find the skin has a delicate musky, perfume-y taste that compliments its sweet juice. Try them refrigerated extra cold for a really nice treat on a warm spring afternoon.

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Enjoy and be fruitful! chiefbanana@fruitguys.com