Raisins
The dried form of the grape, revered throughout history, has its own unique name: the raisin. The drying of grapes into raisins has been practiced since ancient times. Raisins were produced in Persia and Egypt as early as 2,000 BC, with one of their first mentions being in the Old Testament.
How did dried grapes become popular in America? According to history, the tale goes as follows:
An enterprising grape grower had to creatively respond to the forces of Mother Nature. In 1873, a heat wave destroyed his grape harvest. The grower took the dried grapes - the raisins - to a grocer in San Francisco whose attempted to sell them. Much to everyone's pleasure, the ancient delicacy was met with great response and demand, beginning the rise in popularity of the raisin in America.
Packing Raisins
Raisins are packed in 1.33-ounce boxes or
15-ounce cartons. One pound of raisins
yields 12.6 1/4-cup servings of dry fruit and
21.4 1/4-cup servings of cooked fruit.
Storing Raisins
Store opened raisins in the refrigerator.
After opening, fold down the poly bag
liner to help retain moisture. Opened
packages of raisins should be used
within 6 months.