J.P. Dulcich & Sons, a grower of premium California table grapes, announced its newest variety — the Green Emerald, a proprietary green seedless grape — is available only through Sunlight International Sales.

Having realized years ago that market trends showed consumers wanted green grapes that were larger and sweeter than the average varieties found in most stores, the Dulcich family set out to develop a green variety that would fit the perfect profile of size and flavor.

In 2007, Dulcich & Sons found and began to study an original variety of green grape that was large in size but still contained a hard seed trace. Determined to see what this promising variety could produce, Dulcich put it through a two-year selection process that resulted in a dedicated test parcel planted in 2009. After two additional years of production and market testing, the new variety finally was ready for expanded plantings. This long development process produced the grape the Dulcich family was looking for: seedless, extra large, super sweet with high Brix, crunchy and flavorful.

In December 2013, J.P. Dulcich & Sons received a plant patent to grow and ship the Green Emerald variety.

The Green Emerald has an impressive shelf life and is perfect for both the domestic and export markets. According to the company, it is truly unique and different in comparison to other green grape varieties on the market today, and received considerable acclaim from both retailers and consumers during its testing phase. For the 2014 shipping season, Dulcich has increased the availability of the Green Emerald, expanding its growing area to provide longer market access. Expected availability will be mid-August through the end of November.

"We realized that customers were not getting the green grapes they wanted so we decided to find the perfect grapes ourselves," Nick Dulcich, president of Sunlight International Sales, the marketing arm of J.P. Dulcich & Sons, said in a press release. "Fresh, big green grapes with sweet flavor and a healthy crunch. That's what customers want, and that's the Green Emerald. This is the best green grape I have ever seen! It has size and taste and has an incredible shelf life."

In celebration of this new variety, Sunlight International's Facebook page will be offering a special giveaway starting in August.