Many people wonder how to make raisins, without knowing that it is a simple procedure, using grapes that undergo a dehydration process.
The origin of the raisin goes back to the beginning of human history. In the beginning, this type of grape was consumed by cavemen after falling naturally from the vines and drying in the sun. Over the years, people have developed techniques on how to make raisins, whether for solo consumption or to add to recipes.
Currently, this food is popular in Brazil during the end of year festivities, especially at Christmas dinner. It is also at this time that raisins cause discord, as those who like them love Christmas dishes whose recipes include this type of grape. Those who don’t like it much, beg people not to add the fruit to their food or prepare it without it.
Due to the dehydration process, the nutritional composition of the grape changes, including sugar levels and the amount of calories. A 100-gram portion of raisins has much more than twice as many calories as the same in its natural form, around 299 kcal per portion. However, the process does not make the fruit as a whole bad, the amounts of fiber and proteins also increase, going from 0.9 grams to 3.7 and from 0.72 g to 3.07 grams, respectively.
How is raisin made?
Over the years, humans have developed techniques on how to make raisins. However, the principle remains the same, since prehistoric times.
Firstly, to select which grapes will be dehydrated to become raisins, the industry selects those that do not go through the quality process and cannot be sold fresh.
After that, the smaller and less bulky grapes are separated and taken to large mats, where they are exposed to the sun. The exposure time to ultra violet rays varies, after all, this depends on the color of the grape. However, the standard is at least two weeks.
Okay, in this very simple way the famous raisins are created. Love them or hate them, it’s a fact that they are one of the main protagonists of typical dishes, like Christmas ones!
Homemade recipes on how to make raisins
Now that you know how the industrial method works and have seen how relatively simple it is, how about making your own raisins? You can choose from the following three methods!
1 – Using the sun
In this method, you will follow the same technique used by industries, however, on a smaller scale. The first step is to separate the grapes and wash them. After cleaning, pour them into a baking dish or dish and then cover with a clean cloth. Transport the baking dish to a warm place, where there is a good incidence of sunlight.
Let the grapes dry naturally. This process can take up to 10 days, so be patient. It is necessary to stir the grapes from time to time so that they can dry evenly. Ideally, you should do this at least twice a day. Finally, when the grapes have dried, remove them from the pan and store them in a container with a lid. After this whole process you will know how to make raisins and you will also be able to taste them in a personalized way.
2 – Baked raisins
As with the previous method, first of all, you must select the grapes and wash them. Then cut them into pieces and set aside. Take a baking dish and cover the bottom with paper towel, then add the pieces of fruit. Be careful not to get them too close. Turn on the oven at a low temperature, make sure it is very clean before making this recipe.
After turning on the oven, at a temperature of around 50° degrees, add the baking tray and let the grapes dry. This method consists of using the heat from the oven to accelerate the fruit dehydration process, one of the most common techniques for making raisins. In turn, this recipe requires a lot of gas and discipline, as you will not be able to increase the temperature in order to reduce the time. This attitude will result in roasted, not dried, grapes.
3 – Using a good mixture
First, select, clean and reserve the grapes. In a cup of water, dilute a tablespoon of lemon and then dip the grapes, one by one, into the mixture. In the meantime, you preserve the juiciness of the fruit and speed up the drying process. After dipping them in the solution, you will place them on a baking sheet in the microwave oven. Make sure the appliance is properly cleaned to avoid contaminating the food.
Just like the previous method, separate the grapes so that they are not so close together and press the defrost button. In the most common microwaves, this mode lasts approximately 30 minutes, you should pause the process from time to time to turn the grapes. As the grape pieces dry, remove and store them in a clean container with a lid.
It is important to know that…
Dehydrated fruits, in general, have a higher concentration of sugar due to the dehydration process. Therefore, be in moderation when adding this food to your daily diet, especially when it comes to industrial versions.
The most correct way to know how much raisins you should consume is with the guidance of a nutritionist. Furthermore, the professional can recommend other foods that are good for your health.
Did you like this homemade tip? Then also find out how to make your own shampoo and dulce de leche in the pressure cooker.
Source: Semagro, Wikihow, Assim Que Faz and Mundo boa forma.
Imagens: Jasmine, HGTV, The Daily Meal, Mom e Go Outside.
