Today, most raisins are produced from Thompson seedless grapes. How are raisins made? Grapes are laid on brown craft paper trays between the vineyard rows and allowed to dry in the sun when harvested. This is the natural sun-drying process that turns a grape into a raisin.
The oxidation and caramelization of the sugars during this process result in a raisin’s natural dark brown to black exterior. Raisins are traditionally sun-dried, but they may also be water-dipped and artificially dehydrated. In general, the drying process preserves and concentrates the antioxidants of a raisin.
In addition to the darkly colored dried fruit you’re likely familiar with, there’s also the golden raisin and sultanas. Golden raisins have been shown to have the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic content.
Sultanas are another type of raisin, more popular in Europe, that come from small, pale golden-green grapes originating in Turkey. If you’re comparing raisins vs sultanas, sultanas are smaller and sweeter.
There’s also the muscat raisin, which is larger compared to other varieties. They’re also sweeter. What about currants? Currants are dried, black seedless grapes. They’re smaller, darker and tangier than your typical raisin.
Nutrition
Raisins are dried grapes, which are the fruits of the Vitis vinifera plant. The three main varieties commercially sold are: sun-dried (natural), artificially dried (water-dipped) and sulfur dioxide-treated raisins.
Unlike other dried fruits that commonly have sweeteners added in the drying process, raisins are packaged without any added sugar. A raisin naturally provides a perfect amount of sweetness for the tastebuds.
Are raisins healthy? The one-word answer is definitely: yes! Natural energy isn’t the only plus when it comes to consuming raisins. They’re also loaded with fiber, potassium, iron and other essential nutrients, but free of saturated fat and cholesterol. They’re also gluten-free, just in case you were wondering.
One small box (1.5 ounces) of seedless raisins nutrition contains:
129 calories
34 grams carbohydrates
1.3 grams protein
0.2 gram fat
1.6 grams fiber
25.4 grams sugar
322 milligrams potassium (9.2 percent DV)
0.8 milligrams of iron (4.4 percent DV)
0.08 vitamin B6 (4 percent DV)
14 milligrams magnesium (3.5 percent DV)
22 milligrams of calcium (2.2 percent DV)
1.5 micrograms vitamin K (2 percent DV)
What are raisins good for? Benefits of raisins nutrition include lowered blood pressure and improved heart health. Studies have shown that daily consumption may significantly lower blood pressure, especially when compared to eating other common snacks, making them one of the better natural remedies for high blood pressure.
A raisin also has a considerable concentration of phenolic compounds, which play a role in cancer prevention and treatment.
Xi'an Forward Trading Company is processors, packagers and distributors of Raisins we have established long business cooperation with100 Raisins planters, covering300hectare of Raisins orchards in Shaanxi,xinjiang Province, China. If you are intrested in Raisins and would like to lean more, welcome to contact us @ email: sales@driedfruitsnack.com and WhatsApp: +861399148
