View source for Raisin

{{Short description|Dried grape}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}

[[File:Raisins 01.jpg|thumb|A variety of raisins from different grapes]]
[[File:Raisins 2.jpg|thumb|Golden raisins (sultanas)]]

A '''raisin''' is a [[Dried fruit|dried]] [[grape]]. Raisins are produced in many regions of the world and may be eaten raw or used in [[cooking]], [[baking]], and [[brewing]]. In the United Kingdom, [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], New Zealand, Australia and [[South Africa]],<ref>{{Cite web |author=Gill Hyslop|title=Raisin the stakes in 2023: South African sultanas take the lead as the New Year ingredient |url=https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2023/01/26/raisin-the-stakes-in-2023-south-african-sultanas-take-the-lead-as-the-new-year-ingredient |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=bakeryandsnacks.com |date=26 January 2023 |language=en-GB}}</ref> the word ''raisin'' is reserved for the dark-colored dried large grape,<ref>{{cite web |author=Dom Costello |url=http://www.kew.org/plants/festivefoods/raisins.html |title=Kew Gardens explanation |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |access-date=16 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120905030255/http://www.kew.org/plants/festivefoods/raisins.html |archive-date=5 September 2012 }}</ref> with ''[[sultana (grape)|sultana]]'' being a golden- or green-colored dried grape, and ''[[Zante currant|currant]]'' being a dried small [[Black Corinth]] seedless grape.<ref name="oed">{{OEtymD|raisin}}</ref>

==Varieties==
{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2021}}

[[File:Grape Rasins plus Zante Currants.jpg|thumb|California seedless grape raisins (left) and California [[Zante currant]]s (right), along with a metric ruler for scale]]

Raisin varieties depend on the types of grapes used and appear in a variety of sizes and colors, including green, black, brown, purple, blue, and yellow. Seedless varieties include sultanas (the common American type is known as [[Thompson Seedless]] in the United States), Zante currants (black Corinthian raisins, ''Vitis vinifera'' L. var. Apyrena),<ref name=oed/> and [[Flame Seedless|Flame grapes]]. Raisins are traditionally [[sun-dried]] but may also be artificially dehydrated.

Golden raisins are created with a treatment of [[sulfur dioxide]] rather than purely drying them.<ref name="7cfr989.7">{{cite web|title=United States Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 989.7|url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/7cfr989.7.htm|access-date=2006-06-15}}</ref> They are sometimes dried in dehydrators with controlled temperature and humidity, which may allow them to retain more moisture at an added cost of running the dehydrator.

[[Black Corinth]] or [[Zante currant]]s are small, sometimes seedless, raisins that are much darker and have a tart, tangy flavor. They are usually called currants.<ref name=oed/> [[Muscat (grape)|Muscat]] raisins are larger and sweeter than other varieties.

Grapes used to produce raisins in the Middle East and Asia include the large black monukka (or manucca) grapes that produce large raisins.<ref>{{Cite web
 | title        = Types of Raisins: Currants, Golden Seedless, and More
 | url          = http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food/article/types-raisins
 | website      = Berkeley Wellness
 | publisher    = Remedy Health Media
 | access-date  = 2017-09-20
 | url-status   = live
 | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20170921000353/http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food/article/types-raisins
 | archive-date = 2017-09-21
}}</ref> {{clear left}}

==Processing==
[[File:Elaboració de pansa a Gata de Gorgos (Museu Valencià d'Etnologia).webm|thumb|Drying raisins at [[Gata de Gorgos]], Video by [[Valencian Museum of Ethnology]].]]

Raisins are produced commercially by drying harvested grape [[berry (botany)|berries]]. For a grape berry to dry, water inside the grape must be removed completely from the interior of the cells onto the surface of the grape where the water droplets can evaporate.<ref name="raisin processing">{{Cite journal | last1 = Esmaiili | first1 = M. | last2 = Sotudeh-Gharebagh | first2 = R. | last3 = Cronin | first3 = K. | last4 = Mousavi | first4 = M. A. E. | last5 = Rezazadeh | first5 = G. | title = Grape Drying: A Review | doi = 10.1080/87559120701418335 | journal = Food Reviews International | volume = 23 | issue = 3 | pages = 257 | year = 2007 | s2cid = 83652015 }}</ref> However, this diffusion process is very difficult because the grape skin contains wax in its cuticle, which prevents the water from passing through.<ref name="raisin processing" /> In addition to this, the physical and chemical mechanisms located on the outer layers of the grape are adapted to prevent water loss.<ref name="raisin production">Christensen, L.P., and Peacock, W.L. (20 April 2013) [http://iv.ucdavis.edu/files/24413.pdf "The Raisin Drying Process"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612192433/http://iv.ucdavis.edu/files/24413.pdf |date=12 June 2013 }}. ''Raisin Production Manual'', [[University of California]] at [[University of California, Davis|Davis]].</ref> The three steps to commercial raisin production include pre-treatment, drying, and post-drying processes.<ref name="raisin processing" />

===Pre-treatment===
Pre-treatment is a necessary step in raisin production to ensure the increased rate of water removal during the drying process.<ref name="raisin processing" /> A faster water removal rate decreases the rate of browning and helps to produce more desirable raisins.<ref name="raisin processing" /> The historical method of completing this process was developed in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor areas by using a dry emulsion cold dip made of [[potassium carbonate]] and ethyl esters of fatty acids.<ref name="raisin production" /> This dip was shown to increase the rate of water loss by two- to three-fold.<ref name="raisin production" />

Recently, new methods have been developed such as exposing the grapes to oil emulsions or dilute alkaline solutions. These methods can encourage water transfer to the outer surface of grapes which helps to increase the efficiency of the drying process.<ref name="raisin processing" />

===Drying===
[[File:Nearly Dried Raisins.jpg|thumb|Sun-dried raisins]]
The three types of drying methods are: sun drying, shade drying, and mechanical drying.<ref name="raisin processing" /> Sun drying is an inexpensive process; however, environmental contamination, insect infections, and microbial deterioration can occur.

Mechanical drying can be done in a safer and more controlled environment where rapid drying is guaranteed. One type of mechanical drying is to use [[microwave]] drying. Water molecules in the grapes absorb microwave energy resulting in rapid evaporation. Microwave drying produces puffed raisins.<ref name="raisin processing" />

===Post-drying processes===
After the drying process is complete, raisins are sent to processing plants where they are cleaned with water to remove any foreign objects that may have become embedded during the drying process.<ref name="raisin processing" /> Stems and off-grade raisins are also removed. The washing process may cause rehydration, so another drying step is completed after washing to ensure that the added moisture has been removed.<ref name="raisin processing" />

All steps in the production of raisins are very important in determining the quality of raisins. Sometimes sulfur dioxide is applied to raisins after the pre-treatment step and before drying to decrease the rate of browning caused by the reaction between polyphenol oxidase and phenolic compounds. Sulfur dioxide also helps to preserve flavor and prevent the loss of certain vitamins during the drying process.<ref name="raisin production" />
{{nutritional value
| name=Raisins, seedless
| kcal=299
| protein=3.3 g
| fat=0.25 g
| carbs=79.3 g
| fiber=4.5 g
| sugars=65.2 g
| calcium_mg=62
| iron_mg=1.8
| magnesium_mg=36
| phosphorus_mg=98
| potassium_mg=744
| sodium_mg=26
| zinc_mg=0.36
| copper_mg=0.27 
| selenium_ug=0.6
| vitC_mg=2.3
| thiamin_mg=0.106
| riboflavin_mg=0.125
| niacin_mg=0.766
| pantothenic_mg=0.095
| vitB6_mg=0.174
| folate_ug=5
| choline_mg=11.1
| vitE_mg=0.12
| vitK_ug=3.5
| water=15.5 g
| note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/1102640/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]
}}

==Production==
Estimated global production of raisins in 2023–24 was 1.1 million [[tonne]]s, led by [[Turkey]], China, Iran, and the United States as the largest producers.<ref name="council">{{cite web |title=Estimated world raisin/sultana/currant production 2023–2024 |url=https://inc.nutfruit.org/raisins-sultanas-and-currants-global-statistical-review-2/ |publisher=International Nut and Dried Fruit Council |access-date=11 November 2024 |date=2023}}</ref>

==Nutrition==

Raisins are 15% water, 79% [[carbohydrate]]s (including 4% [[dietary fiber|fiber]]), and 3% [[protein (nutrient)|protein]], and contain negligible [[fat]] (table). In a reference amount of {{convert|100|g}}, raisins supply 299 [[kilocalorie]]s and moderate amounts (10–19% DV) of the [[Daily Value]] (DV) of [[riboflavin]], [[vitamin B6]], and several [[mineral (nutrient)|dietary minerals]] rich in content (above 20% DV), including [[potassium in biology|potassium]] and [[copper in biology|copper]] (table).

==Toxicity in animals==
{{Main|Grape and raisin toxicity in dogs}}
Raisins can cause [[kidney failure]] in both cats and dogs. The cause of this is not known.<ref>{{cite book|last1=DiBartola |first1= Stephen P.|title=Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base disorders in small animal practice |date=2012|publisher=[[Saunders (imprint)|Saunders]]/[[Elsevier]]|location=St. Louis, Mo.|isbn=978-1-4377-0654-3|page=155|edition=4th}}</ref>

==Gallery==
[[File:Raisin_sale_at_khari_baoli_market,_Delhi.jpg|thumb|Raisin sale at khari baoli market, Delhi]]
<gallery>
File:Sunmaid-Raisin-Pile.jpg|Common commercial raisins
File:Chunche.jpg|[[Chunche]], ventilated sheds for drying grapes into raisins in [[Xinjiang]]
File:Taliparamba grocery.jpg|Raisins offered for sale at a market in [[Taliparamba]], India
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Food}}
* [[Dried fruit]]
* [[Raisin cake]]
* [[Snap-dragon (game)|Snap-dragon]], a [[Victorian era|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
* [[The California Raisins]], a fictional music group of anthropomorphized raisins created by [[CalRAB]] to promote the food on TV
* The [[chocolate-covered raisin]], a candy made by coating the dried fruit in [[chocolate]]
* [[Oatmeal raisin cookie]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Cookbook}}
{{EB1911 poster|Raisin}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Raisins| ]]
[[Category:Dried fruit]]