raisin

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raisin Dried seedless grapes of several kinds. Valencia raisins from Spanish grapes; Thompson seedless raisins produced mainly in California from the sultanina grape (the skins are coarser than the sultana). Raisins are also produced in Australia and South Africa. A 20‐g portion provides 1.4 g of dietary fibre and supplies 50 kcal (210 kJ). See also currants, dried; dried fruit; sultanas.

Raisin oil is extracted from the seeds of muscat grapes, which are removed before drying them to yield raisins. The oil is used primarily to coat the raisins to prevent them sticking together, to render them soft and pliable and less subject to insect infestation.

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