Raisin
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225735216
2008-07-15T03:50:53Z
CrazyChemGuy
5525799
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/99.141.181.18|99.141.181.18]] to last version by CrazyChemGuy (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{otheruses}}
[[Image:Pasas.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Raisins]]
{{nutritionalvalue | name=Raisins | kJ=1252 | protein=3 g | fat=0.5 g | carbs=79 g | sugars=59 g | fiber=4 g | calcium_mg=50 | iron_mg=1.9 | sodium_mg=11 | potassium_mg=750 | source_usda=1 | right=1 }}
'''Raisins''' are [[Dried fruit|dried]] [[grapes]]. They are produced in many regions of the world, such as the [[United States]], [[Australia]], [[Chile]], [[Argentina]], [[Mexico]], [[Greece]], [[Turkey]], [[India]], [[Iran]], [[Pakistan]], China, [[Afghanistan]], [[Togo]], [[Jamaica]], [[South Africa]], [[Southern Europe| Southern]] and [[Eastern Europe]]. Raisins may be eaten raw or used in cooking and [[baking]].
== Etymology ==
The word ''raisin'' dates back to [[Middle English]] and is a [[loanword]] from [[Old French]]; in Old French and [[French language|French]], ''raisin'' means "grape," while, in French, a dried grape is referred to as a ''raisin sec'', or "dry grape." The Old French word in turn developed from the [[Latin]] word ''[[Wiktionary:racemus|racemus]]'', "a bunch of grapes." The origin of the Latin word is unclear.
== Varieties ==
{{seealso|Dried vine fruit}}
Raisin varieties depend on the type of grape used. Seedless varieties include Thompson Seedless ([[Sultana (grape)|Sultana]]) and Flame. Raisins are typically sun-dried, but may also be "water-dipped," or dehydrated. "[[Golden raisin]]s" are made from Thompsons, treated with [[Sulfur Dioxide|Sulfur Dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>)]] , and flame dried to give them their characteristic color. A particular variety of seedless grape, the [[Black Corinth]], is also sun dried to produce [[Zante currant]]s, mini raisins that are much darker in color and have a tart, tangy flavour. Several varieties of raisins are produced in Asia and, in the West, are only available at ethnic specialty grocers. Green raisins are produced in Iran. Raisins have a variety of colors (green, black, blue, purple) and sizes.
== Regional variations ==
In the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, the word '''raisin''' is reserved for the dried large dark grape, with '''sultana''' being a dried large white grape, and '''currant''' being a dried small Black Corinth grape.
== Nutritional value ==
Raisins are about 60% [[sugar]]s by weight, most of which is [[fructose]]. Raisins are also high in [[antioxidant]]s, and are comparable to [[prune (fruit)|prunes]] and [[apricot]]s in this regard.
== Sweetness ==
[[Image:Single raisin.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The natural [[sugar]] in grapes crystallizes during the drying process]]
Raisins are [[sweetness|sweet]] due to their high concentration of sugars. If they are stored for a long period, the sugar inside the fruit [[crystallization|crystallizes]]. This makes the fruit gritty, but does not affect its usability. To de-crystalize raisins, they can be soaked in liquid ([[alcohol]], fruit juice, or boiling water) for a short period, dissolving the sugar.
== See also ==
* [[Blackcurrant]]
* [[Zante currant]]
* [[Redcurrant]]
* [[Sultana (grape)|Sultana]]
* [[Grape and raisin toxicity in dogs]]
* [[Raisin Bran]]
* [[Snap-dragon (game)|Snap-dragon]], a [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[parlour game]] that involved raisins being plucked from a bowl of burning [[brandy]].
== References ==
* {{cite conference | author=C. D. Wu, J. F. Rivero-Cruz, M. Zhu, B. Su, A. D. Kinghorn | title=Antimicrobial Phytochemcals in Thompson Seedless Raisins (''Vitis vinifera L.'') Inhibit Dental Plaque Bacteria
| booktitle=American Society for Microbiology meeting. June 5–9. Atlanta | year=2005 | pages= |url=http://www.abstractsonline.com/viewer/viewAbstractPrintFriendly.asp?CKey={F2F471D3-4975-4531-91A3-99EF6E664CEC}&SKey={A60C59D2-2740-438F-8EDB-FBCA9A4ED3C2}&MKey={382D7E47-BE0B-4BBA-B3A6-E511C92FA999}&AKey={32093528-52DC-4EBE-9D80-29DAD84C92CE} }}
== External links ==
{{wiktionarypar|raisin}}
{{commons}}
* {{cite web | title=Raisins | work=Cooking.com | url=http://www.cooking.com/advice/adgloss.asp?GlossType=ingr&Item=Raisins | accessdate=2005-07-14 }}
* {{cite web | title=Varietal & Nutritional Info | work=Raisins.org | url=http://www.raisins.org/var_nutrit.html | accessdate=2007-04-19 }}
* [http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=33 The World's Healthiest Foods: Raisins]
[[Category:Dried fruit]]
[[ar:زبيب]]
[[bar:Weinberl]]
[[ca:Pansa]]
[[cs:Rozinky]]
[[da:Rosin]]
[[de:Rosine]]
[[el:Σταφίδα]]
[[es:Pasa]]
[[fr:Raisin sec]]
[[id:Kismis]]
[[it:Uva sultanina]]
[[he:צימוק]]
[[ms:Kismis]]
[[nl:Rozijn]]
[[ja:レーズン]]
[[no:Rosin]]
[[nn:Rosin]]
[[pl:Rodzynki]]
[[pt:Passa]]
[[ru:Изюм]]
[[simple:Raisin]]
[[sl:Rozine]]
[[fi:Rusina]]
[[sv:Russin]]
[[tg:Мавиз]]
[[uk:Родзинки]]
[[yi:ראזשינקע]]
[[zh:葡萄乾]]