History
It's probably safe to say that raisins were discovered by man
the first time he found them accidentally dried out on the vine.
But it took several hundreds of years before he determined which
of the 8,000 varieties of grape genus would produce the best
raisins.
Historians tell us the ancient Phoenicians and Armenians took
the first steps in perfecting viticulture, the process of grape
growing and selection.
Between 120-900 B.C. the Phoenicians started colonial vineyards
in the areas of Malaga and Valencia (Spain), and in Corinth
(Greece). About this same time, the Armenians founded their
vineyards in Persia (Turkey, Iran, Iraq). These bountiful
growing areas had the perfect climate for making raisins - and
were also close to Greece and Rome, the first markets for
raisins.
Muscat raisins - oversized, with seeds, and a fruity, full
flavor were the primary crop in Malaga and Valencia. Currants -
tiny, seedless, tangy raisins - were planted in Corinth, Greece,
where historians believe they got their name.
