Raisins are sweet and succulent dried grapes. It is produced by removing water from the grapes entirely and drying them. They come in colors varying from green to dark brown. Coming in the size of small pebbles, raisins have a wrinkled skin with chewy flash.
They can be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking and brewing. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, the raisins are mainly the dark colored dried grapes, the golden colors dried grape is called sultana and the smaller black ones are called currant. About 70% of raisin is only sugar.
Usage
They can be consumed as a whole like a snack or sprinkled over fruit salads or ice creams. They are also used to make many bakery product and sweet delicacies. They can be enjoyed as a snack, all alone without any additions.
Nutritional Value
1. The flavonols in raisins act as very good antioxidants and protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals.
2. Resveratrol is a polyphenol anti-oxidant in raisins that has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, blood cholesterol lowering activities.
3. Raisins are very high in anthocyanins that have anti allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
4. They are free of gluten toxin and can be consumed by people who do not tolerate gluten as an alternative healthy food.
Did you know?
Raisins were first discovered in 1490 B.C.
It is said the raisins are toxic to dogs, causing renal failure.