| Raisins |
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You don't have to be a backpacker or hiker to appreciate raisins as a convenient,
high energy low fat snack; they are easy to pack, easy to eat and almost never go
bad. Like other dried fruits, raisins are available throughout the year.
When most fruits are dried, they keep their same name, but not the grape. The
dried form of the grape, revered throughout history, has its own unique name: the
raisin.
The majority of grapes used for making raisins in the United States are grown in
California. This area has an ideal climate for grape growing because it has plenty
of sun during the summer and very mild winters. Five other countries, which
produce a substantial amount of raisins include Greece, Australia, Turkey, Iran,
and Afghanistan. Each of these countries have their own variety of raisin that they
consistently grow.
Raisins are made from dehydrating grapes in a process that either involves the
heat of the sun or a mechanical process of oven drying. Among the most popular
types of raisins are Sultana, Malaga, Monukka, Zante Currant, Muscat and
Thompson seedless. The size of small pebbles, raisins have wrinkled skins
surrounding chewy flesh that tastes like a burst of sugary sweetness. While the
colors of raisins vary, they are generally a deep brown color, oftentimes with hints
of a purple hue.
Raisins that are fresh and have been stored properly will require no special
attention prior to eating or using in a recipe. To restore dried out raisins before
adding them to a recipe, place them in a bowl covered with a little hot water for a
few minutes. You can use the nutrient-infused liquid in the recipe.
Most raisins are small, dark, and wrinkled. They have a flavor similar to the grapes
from which they are made, but the drying process which creates them concentrates
the amount of sugar making them taste much sweeter. They are a naturally stable
food and resist spoilage due to their low moisture and low pH.
high energy low fat snack; they are easy to pack, easy to eat and almost never go
bad. Like other dried fruits, raisins are available throughout the year.
When most fruits are dried, they keep their same name, but not the grape. The
dried form of the grape, revered throughout history, has its own unique name: the
raisin.
The majority of grapes used for making raisins in the United States are grown in
California. This area has an ideal climate for grape growing because it has plenty
of sun during the summer and very mild winters. Five other countries, which
produce a substantial amount of raisins include Greece, Australia, Turkey, Iran,
and Afghanistan. Each of these countries have their own variety of raisin that they
consistently grow.
Raisins are made from dehydrating grapes in a process that either involves the
heat of the sun or a mechanical process of oven drying. Among the most popular
types of raisins are Sultana, Malaga, Monukka, Zante Currant, Muscat and
Thompson seedless. The size of small pebbles, raisins have wrinkled skins
surrounding chewy flesh that tastes like a burst of sugary sweetness. While the
colors of raisins vary, they are generally a deep brown color, oftentimes with hints
of a purple hue.
Raisins that are fresh and have been stored properly will require no special
attention prior to eating or using in a recipe. To restore dried out raisins before
adding them to a recipe, place them in a bowl covered with a little hot water for a
few minutes. You can use the nutrient-infused liquid in the recipe.
Most raisins are small, dark, and wrinkled. They have a flavor similar to the grapes
from which they are made, but the drying process which creates them concentrates
the amount of sugar making them taste much sweeter. They are a naturally stable
food and resist spoilage due to their low moisture and low pH.
The nutritional value of fruit, like Raisins, makes it an excellent choice for both weight control and general health. Fruit contains
energy-giving fructose (low on the glycemic index), several essential vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals, plus dietary fiber for
better health, digestion and blood glucose control. So, even if you're counting carbs to lose weight, make sure you eat plenty of
healthy fruit.
Raisins are rich in potassium while low in sodium (3 oz contains 646 mg potassium and 10 mg sodium). It is well accepted that
potassium helps to reduce blood pressure. The DASH-Sodium diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which is rich in
potassium, has been successfully used to treat patients with high blood pressure.
Other benefits of a potassium in the diet include:
Most people think of raisins as a healthy snack for children. In fact, you have likely heard of them referred to as "nature's candy" or
"the world's healthiest food."
If you ask a Pediatric Dentist though, you will likely get a different story. Since they are sticky and have a lot of sugar in them, raisins
are also frequently high on the list as a risk factor for children getting cavities.
So while some people might have handed out small boxes of raisins on Halloween as a healthy alternative to candy, for example,
other parents might have lumped them in with all of the other Halloween candy that they wanted their kids to avoid.
energy-giving fructose (low on the glycemic index), several essential vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals, plus dietary fiber for
better health, digestion and blood glucose control. So, even if you're counting carbs to lose weight, make sure you eat plenty of
healthy fruit.
Raisins are rich in potassium while low in sodium (3 oz contains 646 mg potassium and 10 mg sodium). It is well accepted that
potassium helps to reduce blood pressure. The DASH-Sodium diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which is rich in
potassium, has been successfully used to treat patients with high blood pressure.
Other benefits of a potassium in the diet include:
- It may reduce the risk of stroke (independent of its effect on blood pressure)
- It may help prevent the development of some types of kidney disease
- It reduces calcium excretion which may help bone health and reduce the formation of kidney stones
- It may play a role in carbohydrate intolerance
- It may help reduce the risk of heart arrhythmias in some patients with heart disease.
Most people think of raisins as a healthy snack for children. In fact, you have likely heard of them referred to as "nature's candy" or
"the world's healthiest food."
If you ask a Pediatric Dentist though, you will likely get a different story. Since they are sticky and have a lot of sugar in them, raisins
are also frequently high on the list as a risk factor for children getting cavities.
So while some people might have handed out small boxes of raisins on Halloween as a healthy alternative to candy, for example,
other parents might have lumped them in with all of the other Halloween candy that they wanted their kids to avoid.
Raisins