Raisin 113723 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]]