Raisins: How Are They Made?

Have you ever wondered how raisins are made? Well, let me tell you the secret so you can make it at home!

Raisins are dried grapes that were first made in the Middle East. Did you know that they were used by the Romans and Greeks as currency, prizes, and medications?

Now, raisins make some of the best snacks or ingredients for making baked goods, desserts, drinks, and more. In fact, you can even turn it into a business!

In this blog, you’ll learn exactly how to make your own delicious raisins from scratch. There are even helpful tips you can use to make the best raisins ever!

How to Make Raisins

Keep raisins healthy, organic, and natural by using fresh grapes. It’s the perfect recipe to try when you have leftover grapes in your kitchen. You will never have to buy raisins again! 

It’s easy to make raisins because there are many ways to dry them. In this recipe, you can trust that the technique I will share has been tried and tested!

What are you waiting for? Come and make raisins with me!

Ingredients

Grapes

There is no better way to make the best raisins than by using fresh and organic grapes.

Grapes may be small, but they are certainly loaded with sweet, sour, and tangy flavors. These are also juicy and soft inside, making them easy to eat and prepare.

They come in different varieties, but the best grapes to use for raisins include sultana, red grapes, muscat, and zante currant. I suggest buying seedless grapes to avoid a bitter taste.

Aside from turning them into raisins, there are plenty of other ways to use grapes. Sometimes, you can convert them into wine or jam. I also love adding them to salads, smoothies, and desserts!

When eaten fresh, grapes have a crunchy and chewy texture, making them enjoyable to eat. The flesh is sweet and plump that’s filled with juicy sweetness. 

Undoubtedly, this is the best ingredient for making raisins! 

Directions

Remember these steps when you want to make raisins:

1. Remove the grapes from the steam.
2. Rinse them with cold water.
3. Use a knife to make a small slice of each grape.
4. Preheat the oven to 85°C for ten minutes. 
5. Place a grill mesh mat over an oven rack.
6. Then, arrange the grapes on the mat.
7. Dehydrate them in the oven for six hours or until done.
8. For the first hour, open the oven every 20 minutes to release the steam.
9. Continue dehydrating until the grapes shrink. 
10. Leave to cool at room temperature. 
11. Once done, serve the raisins in a bowl or store them for long-term use!

Raisins can serve multiple purposes, so make as many dehydrated grapes as you want. Don’t forget to share your favorite way of using them!

Tips

Buying grapes

• Sun World suggests buying grapes with full and rich colors.
• You can use red grapes and other seedless options.
• The grapes should not feel wet or mushy.
• Buy grapes that feel plump.

Storing grapes

• According to Real Simple, wash and store the grapes in a container in your fridge for three weeks.
• Once sliced, use the refrigerated grapes within two days.
• You can also freeze the grapes for several months.

Raisins Variations

Aside from being natural and fresh, these raisins are vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian. You can also use different varieties of grapes – for diverse flavors. Instead of red grapes, you can try sultana or muscat grapes too.

Alternative Ways to Make Raisins

In case you don’t have access to an oven, you can try these alternative ways to make them:

Sundry

1. Remove the grapes from the stem.
2. Rinse them with cold water.
3. Then, arrange them on a tray.
4. Cover it with a food net cover.
5. Place it in an area where it will get the most sunlight.
6. Let them dry under the sun for up to four days.

Dehydrator

1. Arrange the grapes on the tray.
2. Set the dehydrator at 57°C.
3. Let the grapes dry for at least a day.
4. You can check them every two hours.

Air Fryer

In an article in Family Guide Central, you can also dehydrate grapes using an air fryer!

1. Rinse the grapes and slice them.
2. Distribute the grapes on a tray.
3. Then, set the air fryer to 57°C for about 30 hours.
4. Once dry, remove them from heat.
5. Let them cool and store them in containers. 

Recommended Tools

• Oven: Make the raisins in an oven.
• Grill mesh mat: Place the grill mesh mat over the oven rack to prevent the grapes from falling out.
• Knife: Break the skin of the grapes with a knife.

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How to Use Raisins

Aside from enjoying these as snacks, you can also use them for baking and cooking. It can even be added in muesli, bread, cakes, bagels, Granola, salad toppings, yogurt, fruit salad, and more! 

These can also be used to make healthy raisin water. Let the raisins soak in boiled water for at least eight hours or overnight. Raisin water is best eaten in the morning.

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Store the raisins in jars for up to six months to a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of eating raisins?

Raisins are undoubtedly healthy! They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to aid digestion, heart health, clear vision, bone strength, dental health, and more! 

However, raisins still have natural sugars, so consume them in moderation to prevent adverse reactions. 

Is it OK to eat raisins every day?

According to Healthy Eating, the suggested daily intake for women is a cup and a half of raisins per day, while men can have up to two cups per day.

What is the best time to eat raisins?

To allow maximum benefits from dried fruits like raisins, consuming them in the morning on an empty stomach is best. These raisins can pack you with energy to kickstart your day. 

Are raisins high in sugar?

Yes, raisins are high in suar. It is evident from how sweet grapes are. The sugar becomes more concentrated once you dry the grapes to make raisins.