What is Raisin
Raisins are dried grapes, specifically dried white-fleshed grapes. These grapes are initially green in skin color and darken as they dry, becoming a dense, dark-colored dried fruit containing small seeds and bursting with sweet flavor. Raisins are commonly produced in the U.S., Turkey, Iran, Greece and Australia.
Raisins are commonly eaten out of hand; mixed into foods like oatmeal, granola bars, and chutneys; and used in cakes, pies, and other baked goods. They’re often soaked in alcohol or other flavorful liquids before being used in baked goods, as they easily absorb liquid.
Raisins Benefits
Raisins are an exceptional source of naturally occurring chemicals called phytonutrients, such as phenols and polyphenols. These types of nutrients are considered antioxidants. Studies have shown that raisins contain phytochemicals that could promote healthy teeth and gums. Phytochemicals present in raisins, including oleanolic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, fight the bacteria in your mouth that lead to cavities. In other words, eating raisins in place of sugary snack foods can actually keep your smile healthy.
One-half cup of raisins will give you 2.7 grams of fiber, or roughly 6 to 12 percent of your daily needs, depending on your age and gender.
Raisins are a good source of iron. One-half cup of raisins contains 1.4 milligrams of iron. That’s about 7 percent of the recommended daily amount for most adult females, and 17 percent for adult men.
Raisins have about 36 milligrams of calcium per 1/2-cup serving. This translates to about 5 percent of your daily needs.
The Difference Between Raisins, Sultanas, and Currants
While all three are types of dried fruit and used in similar ways, there are several things that set raisins, sultanas, and dried currants (both true currants and Zante currants) apart from each other.
Raisins, sultanas, and Zante currants are all sweet dried fruits that stem from different varieties of vine-grown grapes, while currants really are a fresh bush-grown berry that is tart rather than sweet. Currants are also sold dried, but they’re not as readily available as sultanas and raisins.
IRANIAN RAISIN
Iran is the third largest exporter of any kind of raisin in the world by exporting more than 150,000 Million Tones (27% global Consumption) of raisins worth around 250 million dollars annually. The advantage of Iranian Raisins is principally its price, minerals and different methods of price, minerals and processing, and that’s the reason why Iranian Raisins minerals are amongst the finest raisins in the world.
Iranian Raisin Types
Golden Raisins (Angoori)
The product in process is from seedless grapes of the Vitis vinifera variety. Golden Raisins are grown in the sunny vineyards of Bonab, they are made using sulfur fumigation process and shade dried so they are golden amber in color with a naturally sweet and fruity flavor. This popular kind is produced from grapes with special natural characteristics and particular sugar level. These characteristics are merely available in grapes grown in Bonab area and this city is the only and best producer of this kind of raisins in Iran. After being double washed, golden raisins are dried, coated with vegetable oil, stemmed, mechanically cleaned, laser and hand sorted then metal detected under extreme care of hygienic conditions and with legal and safety requirements and the customers special specifications.
Sun-Dried (Black) Raisins
The product in process is from seedless grapes of the Vitis vinifera variety. Sun-dried raisins are seedless grapes dried in direct sunlight and as a result they are typically dark-brown in color. This kind is treated without any additive and is high in sugar level. Sun drying is seen as a natural way to produce raisins that not only gives them a particular intense flavor but also maintains the delicate balance of nutrients of the original grape fruit. Like other types, sun dried raisins are dried, coated with vegetable oil, stemmed, mechanically cleaned, laser and hand sorted then metal detected under extreme care of hygienic conditions and with legal and safety requirements and the customers special specifications.
Kashmari Raisins (Golden / Green)
The product in process is from seedless grapes of the Vitis vinifera variety. Kashmar raisins, also known as long raisins are produced from seedles grapes that are local Iranian type. This kind is famous for its special sweet and sour taste and its long length shape. Long raisin like golden raisins are made using sulfur fumigation process and shade dried so they are golden amber in color. This type is popular for those who dislike the extreme sweat flavor of other raisins types. Like other types, kashmar raisins are dried, coated with vegetable oil, stemmed, mechanically cleaned, laser and hand sorted then metal detected under extreme care of hygienic conditions and with legal and safety requirements and the customers special specifications.
Sultana & Malayer Raisins (light / dark)
The product in process is from seedless grapes of the Vitis vinifera variety. Sultana raisins are Light to dark brown in color. They are dried in special drying plants and Due to their very high sugar content, sultanas are very sweet and similar in flavor to honey. sultanas can be treated with sulfur in order to gain a light brown color but the most popular one is the dark brown sultana which does not contain any sulfur and is used widely in bread ¬industry, cake- and pastry ¬bakeries, cereal producers, and the dairy ¬industry. After being double washed, sultana raisins are dried, coated with vegetable oil, stemmed, mechanically cleaned, laser and hand sorted then metal detected under extreme care of hygienic conditions and with legal and safety requirements and the customers special specifications.