The first raisins 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...
28
May
To your good health Raisins are nature's original candy - and one of the world's most nutritious dried fruits. Sweet, tasty raisins are cholesterol-free, low in sodium and virtually fat-free. They provide many necessary vitamins and minerals to your diet, including iron and potas- sium. Maybe best of all, they're 70 percent pure fructose, a natural form of sugar, that's easily digested for quick energy. Easy to...
Augustus and Hannibal loved raisins The Phoenicians and Armenians then began to trade raisins with the Greeks and the Romans. Tasty dried muscats, sultanas and currants became very popular and in great demand with the Greeks and Romans who ate them in large quantities. As the popularity of the raisins grew, so did their value. Can you believe that in ancient Rome you could trade two jars of raisins for...
The Raisin manufacturing process There are four primary methods for producing raisins including the natural, dehydration, continuous tray, and dried-on-the-vine methods. The most popular of these is the natural method which will be explained in some detail. The basic steps in natural raisin manufacturing include harvesting, processing, and packaging. While a small portion of raisins are made by mechanically dehydrating grapes, the majority of them are produced by sun drying.
Farming raisin The first step to producing good raisins is growing quality grapes in the vineyards. Grape farming is a year-round commitment and includes the practices of pruning, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. Most of the work done in these vineyards is still done by hand. Pruning involves the removal of parts of the vine to control its growth pattern. This has the benefits of equalizing the quality of grape...
28
May
Raisin Quality Control Quality control is an important part of each step in the raisin making process. While the grapes are growing, they are checked for ripeness by squeezing the juice from a grape and using a refractometer. This allows the growers to determine how much sugar is in the grape. They are also tasted and their weight per volume is measured to give a measure of the quality of...
28
May
How to plant saffron corms How to plant saffron corms : In areas where Saffron Crocus are reliably hardy—USDA Zone 6 through 8 in the South, 6 through 9 in the West—you should plant the corms as soon as you receive them. [caption id="attachment_16394" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] How to plant saffron corms[/caption] Saffron Crocus does best in full sun and well-drained soil that is moderately rich in organic matter. Ideally, the...
28
May
Growing and Harvesting Saffron Crocus Sativus Growing and Harvesting Saffron Crocus Sativus : Saffron is a delicious and colorful seasoning that is used in breads, desserts, and main dishes in many parts of the world, especially in Iran. Without it, an Indian curry or Spanish paella just wouldn't be the same. [caption id="attachment_16027" align="aligncenter" width="585"] Growing and Harvesting Saffron Crocus Sativus[/caption] The bright red-orange threads you get when you buy...
28
May
Kashmiri and Iranian saffron comparison Kashmiri and Iranian saffron comparison : The main difference between Kashmiri and Iranian Saffron is that of the yield of Stigmas which is about 75%.The excess yield is due to the fact that the stigmas of saffron cultivated in Kashmir are extremely long and with a thick head. They are also of a deep red color. The size of the stigmas indicates the inherent suitability...
28
May
Saffron Saffron spice is the three red stigma of the purple Crocus sativa flower. It is an extremely aromatic spice and although it is red, it is not at all hot. It has a complex flavor and aroma and is described as having a slightly bitter honey like taste. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Though, because the intense flavor, only a small amount of saffron is...
Akbari pistachio 
3 kind raisin 