raisin

Dried grape, for eating as a fruit and also used in baking and confectionery. The chief kinds are the seedless raisin, the sultana, and the currant. The main producers are the Mediterranean area, California, Mexico, and Australia.

Grapes may be dried in the sun or artificially, using hot air. The dark colour of the dried fruit comes from the caramelization of natural sugars during the drying process. Drying reduces grapes to 25% of their original weight, while retaining almost all the nutritional value of the fresh fruit.