Raisin

The natural sugars in grapes crystallize during drying

Raisin

Chunche, naturally ventilated sheds for drying grapes into raisins in Xinjiang

Raisins are dried grapes. They are produced in many regions of the world. Raisins may be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking and brewing. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada the word "raisin" is reserved for the dried large dark grape, with "sultana" being a dried large white grape, and "currant" being a dried small Black Corinth grape.^[1]

Etymology

The word raisin dates back to Middle English and is a loanword from Old French; in French, raisin means "grape," while a dried grape is referred to as a raisin sec, or "dry grape." The Old French word in turn developed from the Latin word racemus, "a bunch of grapes."^[2]

Varieties

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Raisin varieties depend on the type of grape used, and are made in a variety of sizes and colors including green, black, blue, purple, and yellow. Seedless varieties include the sultana (also known as Thompson Seedless in the USA) and Flame grapes. Raisins are typically sun-dried, but may also be water-dipped, or dehydrated. "Golden raisins" are made from sultanas, treated with sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and flame-dried to give them their characteristic color. A particular variety of seedless grape, the Black Corinth, is also sun-dried to produce Zante currants, miniature raisins that are much darker in color and have a tart, tangy flavor. Several varieties of raisins are produced in Asia and, in the West, are only available at ethnic specialty grocers. Green raisins are produced in Iran.

Nutrition

Raisins range from about 67% to 72% sugars by weight,^[3] most of which is fructose and glucose. They also contain about 3% protein and 3.5% dietary fiber.^[4] Raisins, like prunes and apricots, are also high in certain antioxidants, but have a lower vitamin C content than fresh grapes. Raisins are low in sodium and contain no cholesterol.^[5] New research has shown, despite having a high concentration of sugars, raisins fight bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and gum disease.^[6]

Raisins can cause renal failure in dogs. The cause of this is not known.^[7] See the article on grape and raisin toxicity in dogs. New data suggest that, among individuals with mild increases in blood pressure, the routine consumption of raisins (three times a day) may significantly lower blood pressure, especially when compared to eating other common snacks, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 61st Annual Scientific Session.^[8]

Sugars

Raisins are sweet due to their high concentration of sugars (about 30 g of fructose and 28 g of glucose in 100 g of raisins). The sugars can crystallize inside the fruit when stored after a long period, making the dry raisins gritty, but that does not affect their usability. These sugar grains can be dissolved by blanching the fruit in hot water or other liquids.

Grades of raisins in the US

• Grade A - The color is good, and the flavor is characteristic of raisins. These raisins show development characteristics indicative of the fact that they are prepared from well-matured grapes (containing no less than 80% water by weight). The processed raisins contain less than 19% moisture by weight.^[9]
• Grade B - The color and flavor is reasonably good. These raisins show development characteristics that highlight the fact that the raisins were prepared from reasonably well-matured grapes at least 70% water by weight. These raisins also contain less than 19% moisture, by weight.^[9]
• Grade C - The color and flavor are fairly good. These raisins show development characteristics of raisins prepared from fairly well-matured grapes containing at least 55% water by weight. These raisins also contain less than 19% moisture, by weight.^[9]
• Substandard - Raisins that fail to meet the standards of Grade C.

See also

• Blackcurrant
• Redcurrant
• Grape and raisin toxicity in dogs
• Snap-dragon, a Victorian parlour game that involved raisins being plucked from a bowl of burning brandy.
• Sun-Maid, a popular brand of raisins available in North America and the United Kingdom.

References

Look up raisin in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Raisin

Further reading

• C. D. Wu, J. F. Rivero-Cruz, M. Zhu, B. Su, A. D. Kinghorn (2005). "Antimicrobial Phytochemicals in Thompson Seedless Raisins (Vitis vinifera L.) Inhibit Dental Plaque Bacteria". American Society for Microbiology meeting. June 5–9. Atlanta. http://www.abstractsonline.com/viewer/viewAbstractPrintFriendly.asp?CKey={F2F471D3-4975-4531-91A3-99EF6E664CEC}&SKey={A60C59D2-2740-438F-8EDB-FBCA9A4ED3C2}&MKey={382D7E47-BE0B-4BBA-B3A6-E511C92FA999}&AKey={32093528-52DC-4EBE-9D80-29DAD84C92CE}.