Currants vs raisins

[trof]

I still don't get the difference.
:shrug:

"Raisins:
The majority of cultivated grapes from which all types of raisins are produced belong to the Vitis vinifera species, domesticated more than 5000 years ago in the Middle East. Raisins were introduced into Europe in the 11th century when knights from the Crusades returned home. From Europe, explorers and missionaries introduced the cultivation of grapes to the southern hemisphere and the New World. Grapes commonly used for drying are table grapes, which have a more tender skin, rich flavor and high sugar content. Sultana and Thompson Seedless are among the most commonly marketed varieties.

Currants:
True black currants derive from the genus Ribes, native to high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. Europe, Asia and North America all have native species, from which production spread to South Africa. The name currant is likely a corruption of “Corinth”, the Greek city which shipped small dried raisins throughout Europe on a large scale over 2,000 years ago. Although a misnomer, the name stuck. Disease, adaptation problems and a federal ban on cultivation imposed in the early 1900’s restricted production of true black currants in the U.S. In their stead, producers adopted cultivation of Zante “currants”, actually tiny black seedless grapes. Commercial production of true currants today exists only in Greece and South Africa.

Description:
Raisins and currants are harvested by either hand or mechanical means, depending upon the origin. Drying is achieved either by sun directly in the vineyards (South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Greece), or tunnel drying (U.S.). For raisins, the fruit changes color from green to dark brown (Thompsons) or black (flames). Golden raisins are obtained by treating Thompson or Sultana grapes with sulfur dioxide before drying to conserve their light color. As a result of sun-drying, South African Golden Raisins are among the world’s finest, displaying a bright golden color, lower moisture content and less sulfur dioxide than other sources.

Natural Goldens are produced from sultana raisins, but without the application of sulfur dioxide. Bedemco supplies a full range of vine fruits in a variety of sizes and moisture levels to meet the diverse needs of the bakery, confectionery, manufacturing, packing and food service industries.
Raisins and currants have long enjoyed a variety of applications as snacks, prominent ingredients in mixes, sauces and condiments, and in a wide variety of baked goods and confections. Raisins are a good source of phytochemicals, while currants offer a high content of vitamin C and contain bioflavanoids which aid in the reduction of blood pressure."

http://www.bedemco.com/fruit/raisins.htm

[NV Whino]

1. Currants are little bitty wrinkly things

Raisins are big wrinkly things.

[MediaBabe]

2. Prunes are bigger wrinkly things

[Bunny]

3. trof. Hon. I think you're overthinking this.

Srsly. It's a freakin' raisin!




:hide:

:hi:

[Bragi]

4. I'd answer, but I'm conserving posts

[grannylib]

5. None. They're all icky...well, some are rubberier...um, more rubbery

I hate 'em.

[bonito]

8. What do you call a fly with no wings

Yep, and i think I'm the originator of that one, never liked them.

[BrotherBuzz]

6. Raisins grown on vines in warm climate - Currants grown on shrubs in cool climates

:shrug:

[mondo joe]

7. Raisins are dried regular-size grapes; Currants are dried teensy sized grapes.