Have you ever tried a raisin before? These little purple fruits are a favorite as a snack and in delicious desserts and pastries throughout the world, but many people do not know the process that is undergone in order to produce them.
The process for making grapes begins in a vineyard. Here, grapes are grown (preferably seedless) in places where they mature early in the season. This allows them to then be treated in order to make raisins.
On a worldwide scale, the most commonly-used grapes to make raisins are the Sultana and Thompson Seedless varieties, both originating from the same type of grape that comes from Turkey.
After the grapes have been picked, they must be dried in order to make raisins. There are two main options for drying, the first of which is the traditional and most common method. Grapes are spread out on pallets in a sunny place that is protected from pests and bad weather and are allowed to dry until their water content has essentially disappeared.
In modern times, some grapes are also dehydrated using machinery and other non-natural processes. Both processes crystallize and concentrate grapes’ sugar content, making them over 60% sugar by weight.
These sun-dried beauties are then ready for consumption. They can be enjoyed in all kinds of ways, from in cereals to as an on-the-go snack! Aren’t you glad you learned more about raisins?
