20, 2022
We love raisins and the flavor and texture they bring to so many recipes.
But what about sultanas, golden raisins, and currants?
Here are the differences between these varieties and the ways you might use them!
But what about those other dried fruits on the store shelves: sultanas, golden raisins and currants?
Lets break them down.
The Basics
At their simplest, raisins are grapes that have been dried.
Classic raisins, golden raisins and sultanas are all made from the exact same grape plant: Thompson seedless.
However, its the way these grapes are dried that makes the difference.
The result is a dark brown, dried fruit that is moist and has a strong flavor.
And you cant make a classicoatmeal raisin cookiewithout them!
This treatment preserves the light color of the grapes.
Try using them in a freshbroccoli raisin salador in this elegantfruit compote with brie.
Some sultana manufacturers also coat the grapes in vegetable oil before drying them.
In England recipes calling for raisins will usually list sultanas instead.
And What About Currants?
Well,freshcurrants are small white, black or red berries about the size of peas.
Surprisingly the dried fruits labeled as currants are not actually currantstheyre made from grapes!
Currants are naturally dried like raisins, which gives them their dark color.
In addition to being smaller than raisins, currants have a subtler and slightly more tart flavor.
Currants are often used in freshly-baked scones, sprinkled oversaladsor stirred into a traditionalhot cross bun recipe.
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