What are different types of raisins?

Raisins contain more nutrients than their small size might indicate. When the grapes are dehydrated to produce raisins, the nutrients become more concentrated, turning a handful of raisins into a snack rich in B vitamins, iron and potassium.

LEARN MORE ABOUT What are Raisins and What do They Taste Like, The Health Benefits of Raisins

There are many different types of raisins with different shapes, colors, sizes, and flavors. In this article, we are going to show you different types of raisins. So just keep reading to find out more about this wonderful dried fruit.

Most raisins are made from different types of grapes such as Thompson seedless, Flame seedless, sultana, Muscat, and black Corinth.

Raisin Varieties

1. Black raisins
2. Currants
3. Sultanas
4. Red raisins
5. Green raisins
6. Golden raisins

Each of these types are made from different grapes with different colors and tastes. Here is a brief description of these types:

1- Black raisins

The most common type of raisins which can be made from grapes of any skin color, their final brown to black hue obtained as they dry. The higher the heat and the more direct the sunlight, the darker the raisin and the more caramelized its flavor.

In the picture above, from left to right, are:

• Jumbo black raisin, 2.5cm long, fleshy and chewy
• Monukka raisin, named after its grape variety, slightly larger and sweeter than regular black raisins
• Regular black raisin, about 1.5cm long.

2- Currants

Dark raisins with sharp, full flavor in small size, under 1cm across. Produced from an ancient grape variety originally traded out of the Corinth port in Greece, from which they get their title. They are alternatively known as Zante currants and often mixed with raisins and candied peel in mixed dried fruit products. Sometimes labeled as “black currants,” but they are unrelated to black currants, red currants or white currants, which are berry varieties that have very different, much more sour flavor profiles.

3- Sultanas

Originally named after a Turkish green grape, from which degenerates the cultivar now most commonly used to provide raisins around the world, Thompson Seedless. Nowadays, “sultana” refers in Australia and the United Kingdom to dark brown or reddish-amber raisins produced from Thompson Seedless grapes. The same product is simply labeled “raisins” in the United States. Equal in size or somewhat more significant than black raisins and usually a bit tangier.

4- Red or Flame raisins

These delicious raisins are made from red-skinned grapes. There is not much difference between their final color or size and black raisins’.  Also known as flame, which came from the flame seedless red grape and are large (1.5 cm), plump, dark red and super sweet-tart.

5- Green Raisins

These wonderful green raisins are slim, from 2 to 3 cm long. They are originated and produced across the Middle East and Central Asia. Slightly dense and chewy, with a light tartness reminiscent of green grapes. They are usually dried in well aired but dark indoor conditions, which protect their pale jade hue, nowadays sometimes improved by sulfur dioxide. Jumbo versions can sometimes be found in stores.

6- Golden Raisins

Similar to natural seedless raisins, these are also obtained from Thompson or golden Seedless grapes but are oven-dried to avoid the darkening impact of sunlight. Some “golden raisins” sold labeled as such have been treated with sulfur dioxide gas to avoid darkening throughout the drying process. They are fruity and tangy, with less caramel or toffee flavor traits than black raisins.

How to choose the best raisin?

There are a lot of bags and boxes of raisins available every year.

The black raisins like Muscat raisins are preferred for holiday baking and usually available only in winter and fall.

Currants can only be found in specialty and large supermarkets.

If you are looking for the best tangy taste, you should try Sultana raisins. And If you need them tarter, you can use green raisins.

LEARN MORE ABOUT How to Use Raisins.

When buying raisins in bulk, choose moist looking, clean raisins and don’t buy them from uncovered shelves.

That’s it.

If you have any questions about raisin types, you can ask us with sending email to [email protected]