Seedless Sweet Green Long Thompson (Sultana) Variety Air Layered Grapes Plant

The Thompson Seedless (also known as the Sultana) is the world’s most versatile and widely planted white grape. It is often called a "three-way grape" because it dominates the market for fresh eating, raisin production, and winemaking.

Physical Appearance
Shape: Naturally elongated and oval, though modern farming techniques (like the use of gibberellic acid) are often used to make the berries even larger and longer.

Color: Ranging from pale chartreuse to a light golden-yellow when fully ripe. A deeper yellow color usually indicates higher sugar levels.

Skin: Very thin and tender, making it easy to eat without any bitterness.

Flesh: Pale green, semi-translucent, and firm with a "crisp" snap when bitten.

Taste and Texture
Flavor Profile: It has a mild, clean, and reliably sweet taste. Because it lacks intense musk or floral notes, it is a favorite for those who prefer a "neutral" sweet grape.

Seedless Nature: It is naturally seedless (technically it has tiny, soft, unnoticeable seed traces), which made it the first variety to revolutionize the modern table grape industry.

History & Global Names
Origins: It originated in the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey/Iran) where it was known as Sultanina.

The "Thompson" Name: In 1872, an Englishman named William Thompson imported cuttings to California. One vine survived, and its success led to the variety being renamed in his honor in the United States.

Sultana vs. Thompson: In the UK, Australia, and South Africa, the fresh grape is often called a Sultana. In the US, it is almost exclusively Thompson Seedless.

Primary Uses
Raisins: Most of the world's raisins come from this grape. If they are sun-dried naturally, they turn dark brown. If they are treated with sulfur dioxide and oven-dried, they become Golden Raisins (or Sultanas).

Winemaking: Used extensively as a base for white wine blends and brandy.

Culinary: The leaves are the preferred choice for Mediterranean dishes like Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) because they are tender and large.