Current customer? Log In

	Search Quick Order Form» Departments Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath More Ways to Shop Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors Free Catalog MotherNature.com's Catalog Is Here! Click Here to Get Your Free Copy Today. Newsletter Sign Up Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!		Library Home > Food Guide > Raisins RAISINS Introduction Buying and storing Preparation tips Nutritional highlights Health benefits and concerns References Visit The Healthy Living Bookshelf: 21 Online Health Books From Rodale Soft, sweet, and bite-sized, raisins make a deliciously healthy out-of-hand treat. An excellent snack food, raisins are simply dried grapes. Harvested in August, grapes are traditionally spread on paper trays and sun dried for 2 to 3 weeks. They are also dehydrated mechanically. After drying, the stems are removed and the raisins are sorted and packaged. Much of the world’s raisin supply comes from California. The raisin industry began in California’s San Joaquin valley in the 1870s after a heat wave dried the grape crop on the vine. Varieties The most common grapes used for raisins are Thompson seedless, Zante, and Muscat. Both dark and golden seedless raisins (also called sultanas) are made from Thompson seedless grapes. The dark raisins are sun-dried for several weeks, which produces their dark color and shriveled appearance, whereas golden raisins have been oven-dried to avoid the darkening effect of the sunlight. Like other dried fruits, some golden raisins have been treated with sulfur dioxide to prevent darkening. The tiny seedless Zante grapes produce the dried currants generally found on grocery store shelves. Muscat grapes create a large, dark brown, and very fruity-tasting raisin. These raisins are the variety most often used for holiday baking, such as fruitcakes. Buying and storing tips Raisins can be stored, tightly wrapped, at room temperature for several months. For prolonged storage (up to one year), they should be refrigerated in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Look for plump raisins that show no signs of being overly dry or with visible sugar crystals. Availability Raisins are available year-round in most food markets. They are often sold in small, single-serving-size boxes, but are also available loose in bins in some natural food stores. Preparation, uses, and tips Soft, sweet, and bite-sized, raisins make a deliciously healthy out-of-hand treat. They can be added to granola and trail mix, used to add color and sweetness to salads, and are frequent additions to candy, hot cereals, cookies, muffins, and breads. Before using raisins in baked goods, plump them by soaking them in water for 15 minutes or simmer them for several minutes. For dessert dishes, raisins can be plumped in wine. Plumping raisins helps keep them from becoming overly dry when baked. Nutritional Highlights Raisins (seedless), 50 raisins (26g) Calories: 78 Protein: 0.83g Carbohydrates: 20.5g Total Fat: 0.12g Fiber: 1.04g Health benefits and concerns Health benefits and concerns for fruit Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other fruit. Read about health benefits and concerns for fruit for a full description.

Accept Credit Cards Online

Order By Phone 1-800-439-5506

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Information about each product is taken from the labels of the products or from the manufacturer's advertising material. MotherNature.com is not responsible for any statements or claims that various manufacturers make about their products. We cannot be held responsible for typographical errors or product formulation changes. You should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.All discounts are taken from suggested retail prices.

Please see our Terms of Use
Copyright © 1995-2008 Mother Nature, Inc. All rights reserved.