Raisin
Raisin
Raisin (/ˈreɪzɪn/), from the Latin racemus, meaning "a cluster of grapes or berries", is a dried grape. Raisins are produced in many regions of the world and may be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking, and brewing.
Etymology
The term "raisin" dates back to Middle English and is a loanword from Old French; in modern French, raisin means "grape", while a dried grape is a raisin sec, or "dry grape". The Old French word, in turn, developed from the Latin word racemus, "a cluster of grapes or berries".
Production
Raisins are made primarily by sun drying and, less commonly, by dehydrating grapes. They are typically dried for 18–24 hours in the sun. If mechanically dehydrated, grapes are left on the vine until fully ripe, then harvested and dried in a dehydrator.
Varieties
There are several varieties of raisins produced in different parts of the world:
- Sultana: The sultana grape produces a light-colored raisin. It is also known as the Thompson Seedless grape.
- Currant: These are small, dark raisins made from the Black Corinth grape. They are dried for several weeks to produce a dense, sweet, dark fruit.
- Muscat: Muscat raisins are large, dark, and particularly fruity. They are often used in baking.
- Monukka: Monukka raisins are large, dark, and seedless. They have a full flavor and are used in baking and cooking.
Health Benefits
Raisins are a good source of dietary fiber, antioxidants, and minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium. They are also low in sodium and contain no cholesterol.
Related Terms
- Grape: The fruit from which raisins are made.
- Drying: The process by which grapes are turned into raisins.
- Vitis vinifera: The species of grape most commonly used to produce raisins.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Raisin
- Wikipedia's article - Raisin
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski