Raisins are nothing more than dried grapes, which in the process of metamorphosis do not lose their properties, and even vice versa, gaining them with renewed vigor. Fans of this delicacy know that there are several varieties of raisins obtained from different types of grapes. More details below.
The benefits of raisins
People began to get raisins several millennia ago. And already ancient healers knew about the benefits of dried fruit. And as the product is studied, the “piggy bank” of its usefulness is only replenished.
- Dried fruit contains nicotinic acid and B vitamins. Raisins act as a sedative.
- A component of the product, such as potassium, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, strengthening the heart muscle and improving the blood formation process.
- Raisins have proven themselves as a remedy for colds. It softens dry and hard coughs, transforming it into sputum. The product also relieves sore throat, nasal congestion.
- Dried grapes have diuretic properties, so it is used to treat kidneys and the bladder.
- Arginine, a component, has a good effect on men's health.
- Dried fruit is useful for the gastrointestinal tract: it has a choleretic property, normalizes the intestinal microflora, and relieves constipation.
- Raisins are also used as a remedy for certain types of lichen. It is cut into 2 parts and the cut is applied to the affected area of the skin.
The main types of raisins
The list of varieties of raisins (their photos are presented below) is small - only 4 points:
- light pitted;
- dark pitted;
- light olive with 1 stone;
- large with 2-3 seeds.
Each variety has its own characteristics, which we will describe further.
Light pitted
These characteristics include raisins. Raisins are made from small-sized fruits, usually light gray, light green or white.
Varietal affiliation of raisins depends on the method of drying, namely:
- Soyaga is a product obtained by drying not in the open sun, but in a special dry and hot room.
- Sabza - such a variety is dried under the rays of the sun, but before that it passes the method of welding in an alkaline solution.
- Bedona - sun-dried raisins without any additional and preliminary procedures.
White raisins are rich in natural sugar. Raisins are mainly used in cooking for baking muffins. But in everyday life this product is very useful: it normalizes the digestive tract, relieves constipation, and also improves immunity.
Dark
Varieties of black raisins are obtained from black or maroon grape varieties. You can often find an alternative name for black seedless raisins - "cinnamon". Unlike white grapes, dark has little sugar, but it has a pleasant musky aroma.
Like raisins, black grapes differ in the way they are dried.
- Shagani - a variety obtained by the usual natural drying in the open air under the sun.
- Hermian is obtained from selected grape fruits. And in order to get exactly this sort of black raisins, they are scalded in an alkaline solution before being sent to “sunbathe”.
- Avlon is obtained after drying several grape varieties in the sun.
Such names of seedless raisins are often found in the field of commerce. And it is much healthier than all other varieties of dried grapes.
With 1 bone
Light raisins with 1 bone were the most common variety on the shelves of the Soviet Union. It is made from ordinary white grapes with 1 seed. Dried fruit is perfect for Central Asian cuisine, namely for the preparation of pilaf and meat dishes. Compotes are also cooked from it, and berries are discarded after welding.
Large with 2-3 seeds
Large raisins with 2-3 seeds are made from grape varieties such as ladies' fingers and germian. The color of fresh grapes can be both dark and light. A distinctive feature is large, fleshy and juicy fruits, which can reach a length of up to 3 cm. And in the form of raisins, the fruits still remain the largest of all varieties of raisins, and also remain fleshy.
Large raisins are recommended for people with anemia, as well as those who adhere to proper nutrition. Dried fruits are sweet, so they are often used as a flavoring additive to cereals, pastries and other desserts. If it is present in food, additional sugar is not required.
Type of raisins by cleaning method
Varieties of raisins, black or light, are also subdivided by the quality of cleaning. In this regard, distinguish:
- Euro grade
- prefabricated and industrial - factory grade.
Euro raisins include the most popular types for sale: Jumbo Gold, Jumbo Black, Afghan Red, Malayar, Sultana. Euro means that the product is hand-made, that is, it was collected by hand, in the same way cleared of seeds and stalks, without GMOs and passed a triple wash. Such raisins have a bright and pleasant aroma. But such a commercial variety has one minus - manual preparation of raisins does not imply its absolute protection against bacteria and dirt.
Factory varieties are not as fragrant and soft as berries after manual Euro-cleaning, but they are well cleaned of dirt, protected from bacterial exposure. And all because the product undergoes preliminary welding in alkali. Factory raisins are well cleared of stalks, the remains of leaves and twigs.
Variety types depending on quality indicators
In terms of quality, the following varieties of raisins are distinguished:
What is meant by quality indicators:
- Appearance of dried fruit.
- Color.
- Taste and aroma.
- Weight indicator 100 berries.
- Mass fraction of freely separable impurities of plant origin (in%).
- Mass fraction of sulfur dioxide.
- Mass fraction of soluble solids (in%) for the finished product and semi-finished product.
These quality features have numerical indicators showing the norm and tolerances from it.
Raisins with obvious adverse signs are not allowed for sale:
- rotten berries;
- affected by pests;
- with clearly visible mold and signs of alcoholic fermentation;
- the presence of insects and their larvae;
- the presence of metallic impurities;
- mineral impurities felt organoleptically.
How to make raisins
Grapes ripen in late August - early September (some varieties ripen until October). For a full-fledged quality product, dry, sunny weather is needed for several weeks after the start of ripening.
After collecting the berries, they are dried for about 2 weeks in the fresh air under open sunlight in specially designated places. At the same time, the fruits are regularly mixed and protected from attack by birds.
The second method of drying: on wooden grids in the shade. It takes him three weeks.
The readiness of raisins will be prompted by its changed color, appearance and consistency. Ready dried fruit is aired, laid out in plastic containers and cleaned in a dark place.