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Iranian Raisins and Their Types: A Guide for Raisin Lovers
Iranian raisins are dried grapes that come in various types, each with its distinct characteristics and flavor profiles. They are one of the most popular and healthy snacks in Iran and around the world. In this article, you will learn about the different types of Iranian raisins, their benefits,uses,etc.
This article is suitable for those who decide to import raisins from Iran.
Introduction
Raisins are a significant source of potassium, which contains minerals necessary for heart and muscle function. Consuming raisins may encourage proper digestive function due to their fiber content. These small and dry fruits also contain small amounts of iron and vitamin C.
The most important raisin producing and exporting countries
Germany, United Arab Emirates and Australia are the main importers of raisins and Iran, Turkey, America and Greece are the most important exporters of raisins.
Buying, selling and exporting raisins as one of the important food items with therapeutic, medicinal and nutritional benefits for human health is one of the sources of income for countries that produce this food item. At present, raisins are one of the most important and main non-oil exports of the world, which account for a significant percentage of the world’s exports in terms of income.
Iranian Raisins
Iranian raisins are the product of drying grapes from different varieties of vines that grow in Iran. Iran is the third largest exporter of raisins in the world, producing about 92,000 tons of raisins annually. Iranian raisins are known for their high quality, natural color, and delicious taste.
Iranian raisins are dried grapes that have a long history and a rich variety of flavors and colors. They are one of the most popular and delicious Iranian dried fruits, and one of the major export products of the country. Iran has a diverse and favorable climate, a fertile soil, and a rich cultural heritage that contribute to the high quality and diversity of its raisins.
Persian raisin is a delicious dried fruit. It is used in the preparation process of various foods, sweets, cookies, cakes and other confectionery materials. Maybe you have eaten the most delicious birthday or homemade cakes using different types of raisins.
This product is one of the prominent sources of income for grape-growing countries. Iran also has the best opportunity to produce all kinds of raisins for export. Some types of exported raisins are dark brown in color and others are light in color.
Iran’s raisin export situation
Raisin export in Iran has a history of several hundred years and Iran ranks first in the world in terms of variety of exported raisins. In fact, the export of pistachios, raisins and dates constitutes a major part of Iran’s dry fruit exports. Currently, more than 80% of the world’s raisins are produced in Iran, Turkey, America, Greece and Chile.
On the other hand, most of the world’s raisins are imported to the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Egypt, Canada, Pakistan, Turkey, Spain and Kuwait. It is also interesting to know that Turkey despite being among the countries that produce and export raisins, also imports these.
Australia also repackages Iranian raisins and then sends them to other regions under its own brands. Climatic conditions have made Iran one of the top ranks of horticulture, especially in the cultivation of grapes and raisins.
Raisin export is one of the most profitable businesses in Iran. Among agricultural products, Iranian raisins have a very good position for export. Raisins are placed after dates in terms of production, but they have a much higher position than dates in world markets.
The main regions and cities of Iran where raisins are produced
The following cities have the highest rank in terms of producing the best types of raisins in Iran:
Malayer
Takestan
Kashmar
Bueen zahra
Quchan
Malekan
Types of Iranian raisins
Iranian raisins are prepared from ripe grapes as one of the strategic products of Iran. Grape drying and raisin production have a long history.
Fertile agriculture, high-quality lands and the use of modern and organic technologies in the production of Iranian raisins have made this country one of the largest exporters of this product, and thus Iranian raisins now have a good position in the world.
The types of Iranian raisins are as follows:
1. GOLDEN RAISINS
2. SULTANA RAISINS
3. GOLDEN KASHMAR RAISINS
4. GREEN KASHMAR RAISINS
All the above products can be supplied, but the production volume of all of them is not the same, and some products may be finished in the first six months of the year, and others may easily have remain for the next year.
It should be noted that the raisin season starts at the beginning of October every year and continues until the next year. The amount of Iranian raisin production is such that we will not have any problems with the stock during the year, whether in terms of export or supply in the domestic market.
Meanwhile, not all Iranian products are suitable for export. Raisins for export should have features such as being seedless, high production rate (so that we don’t have a problem with supply during the year), and the use of preservatives to have a proper expiration date.
With these words, we will reach 3 main products for export, which are the following:
Among the above items, Golden Raisin, Sultana, and Green Kashmar have the largest amount of exports.
GOLDEN RAISINS
Golden raisin is a type of Iranian raisin that is made from the best seedless grapes and is available in golden yellow color.
This variety is one of the most delicious Iranian raisins, which has many fans all over the world because of its unique taste and color.
Golden raisin is cultivated in most parts of Iran. The color of this type is amber with a natural sweet and fruity taste. These sweet and chewy raisins are a delicious snack on their own, but they can be added to mixes nuts and dried fruits, baked foods, and even granola for a super healthy snack.
Golden raisins, which are unique to Iran, are always in high demand for export.
How are golden raisins produced
This raisin turns yellow due to the presence of grapes in the vicinity of sulfur smoke.
In this way, after picking the grapes from the vineyard, the bunches of grapes are tied together vertically in the form of a pendulum with suitable threads of 2-3 meters.
Then, in order to reduce the drying time, it is immersed in a substance called Tizab (potassium carbonate, water and oil). And after that, they hang from the roof of the court away from the sunlight.
At this stage, sulfur is placed in a special container made of metal, and then the sulfur is set on fire.
Finally, after 7 to 8 hours, the color of the raisins turns yellow due to the sulfur smoke that spreads in the air, and as a result, golden raisins are produced.
Raisins enter the washing and packaging cycle in the next step.
Types and grading of golden raisins
Like other types of raisins, golden raisins are graded based on their quality and are placed in different categories. In this way, the higher the golden raisin is, the higher its quality will be. On the other hand, in a division, golden raisins are classified according to size. For example: premium and first-class golden raisins have a size of 9 to 12 or 10 to 12 mm, which, of course, are specific to Iranian golden raisins, and this size may be different in other countries.
It should be noted that the size of the raisin is the same as its length. Most of the golden raisins have small sizes, but some of them that have large sizes are considered good options for export and are sent to other countries. In this way, exported golden raisins usually have a size between 14 and 24 mm, which is considered large in terms of size, and for this reason, they have a very high quality and attractiveness from the customer’s point of view.
Golden Raisin is available in 3 grades A, AA and AAA. It is 3 degrees for export to Europe. This rating is determined based on the standard approved by Europe, which is also implemented in Iran. Premium golden raisins are those with only 1% crushed product per kilogram. If this percentage is up to 2%, the product is ranked first. In other words, if you see 1% unusual raisins in a 10 kg carton, you can accept it as the packaging of superior products.
What is the premium golden raisin like
As mentioned in the previous section, golden raisins have different quality ratings, all of which are produced in our country. These ratings are global and are determined based on European standards approved by various organizations.
Accordingly, golden raisins are divided into two main groups, ordinary and premium, among which premium golden raisins are used for export and shipment to European countries and other countries of the world.
Premium golden raisin means a raisin of which 1% may have tail or lower quality after packaging, but if this amount reaches 2%, it is no longer considered premium golden raisin and it is packaged as first class golden raisin. and it will not be used in export.
Malayer golden raisin: the most prominent golden raisin of Iran
High-quality golden raisins in Iran are produced only in a few different cities, one of which is the city of Malayer. Malayer is one of the most important and prestigious cities in the field of golden raisin production in the country. Raisins produced in Malayer are not only known and famous in our own country, but also known and important to international and foreign people.
In proof of this, it should be said that the Latin word ” Malayer golden raisin” is among the words that are searched on Google a lot by people outside the country, which shows that this product is also very popular in other countries of the world.
Malayer is one of the raisin-growing cities in Iran, and in addition to that, golden raisins are grown in other cities in East Azarbaijan province.
which are among the most important golden raisin producing cities in the country and it can be said that the largest amount of golden raisins produced in the country is produced in these cities.
One of the outstanding features that can be stated about the golden raisin of Malayer is that this type of raisin has a slightly reddish color, but the golden raisin of other cities is completely yellow. Another important feature of Malayer golden raisins is the absence of edible paraffin, which allows it to be stored in more standard conditions and has more color stability than other golden raisins.
Important tips for buying golden raisins
When buying golden raisins, considering the variety of this product in the country, it is necessary to keep some points in mind so that you can buy the desired product with good quality and reasonable price. Some of the most important points are:
.Golden raisins should be completely fresh and this freshness can be felt when chewed. As a result, this type of raisin will have a pleasant taste and color.
.Note that when buying golden raisins, be sure to buy raisins without stems so that you don’t spend extra time cleaning them.
.Golden raisins should not change color, have traces of insects, or stickiness, and if any of these things are seen in the product, it indicates that the product is of poor quality.
.When buying golden raisins, it is recommended to use raisins that are produced by traditional methods; Because these raisins will be of higher quality.
.Of course, you should also pay attention to the fact that the place where raisins are produced and processed is also very important, and you should pay attention to the fact that health issues have been fully observed in this place.
.The raisin you buy should not have a sour taste or bad smell in any way, and any kind of unpleasant taste or smell of golden raisin indicates its low quality and improper storage.
SULTANA RAISIN
Sultana raisin, which is also known as Tizabi raisin in Iran, is known by different names in different regions of the world, the most common and the most basic of which is Sultana raisin.
The most type of raisins for export worldwide are of this type and it is also processed and packaged in two types, seedless and seeded.
Sultana raisins are produced in Iran in huge volumes and are one of Iran’s most important export products.
There is a general rule for export raisins in the world, and that is:
The product must be seedless so that it can be exported well.
Iranian sultana raisins are world-famous. This fame is due to the unique properties and characteristics of this type of raisin. One of these features is that Iranian Sultana raisins are made from the best seedless grapes.
This type of raisin tastes very sweet and is used to prepare cakes and sweets.
Sultana raisins have two colors, dark and light brown, which can be different depending on the method of preparation.
The best and highest quality Sultana raisins are produced in Malayer City, which has the best and highest quality, and for this reason, it has attracted many customers from all over the world and is in high demand.
Sultana raisins are made from greenish-white seedless grapes and dried. Sultana raisins are exported to European countries and Persian Gulf countries, where Russia, Ukraine, Iraq, etc. are the main importers of Sultana raisins, and they are the best countries for exporting Sultana raisins.
Sultana raisins have a yellowish-brown color and a soft and uniform texture.
Sultana raisins have a longer shelf life than other types of raisins such as sunny raisins. This type of raisin will not get corrupted if it sleeps in the customs of different countries for any reason.
How are Sultana raisins produced
As mentioned earlier, Sultana raisins are made from the best seedless grapes. To achieve the desired quality, all the raisins are washed and sorted twice at each stage, dipped in edible oil and finally dried.
To prepare Sultana, in the beginning of September, when the grapes are picked, the gardener dips them in tizab liquid (potassium carbonate) for a few seconds and spreads them in the sun so that they dry faster, and Sultana raisins are usually obtained within 5 days.
In the processing stages of Sultana, if the grapes are dried with sulfur smoke, their color will be light brown, but the most common type of Sultana raisin that is prepared without sulfur smoke is dark brown, which is used in the preparation of bread, cakes and sweets.
Tizab Sultana
Sultana Tizab (acid) is a chemical compound that is widely used in the preparation of raisins and other dried fruits.
This substance is known by other names such as raisin oil, Sabzeh oil acid or Sultana acid.
The combination of Green oil with water and potassium carbonate forms an emulsion solution that is used in the process of drying all kinds of fruits, especially grapes and producing raisins. This substance is obtained from the esterification reaction of ethanol with fatty acids in the presence of an acid catalyst.
Grapes have a skin that controls the process of moisture loss. As you know, it usually takes several weeks to turn grapes into raisins. This issue can be problematic for drying grapes with a large volume. The use of Tizab in this process speeds it up and the process of losing moisture in grapes and drying them is done faster.
What are the advantages of using Tizab in the production of raisins
Using this solution, the drying time of grapes is reduced from 4-5 weeks to 5-10 days. This point is considered a great advantage for producing a large amount of raisins.
Such rapid drying leads to a rapid increase in the concentration of sugar in raisins.
This process inhibits the action of the “polyphenoloxidase” enzyme responsible for the darkening of sun-dried raisins or, in fact, the same raisins that have not been treated with emulsion.
However, rainy weather or high humidity in the air can again cause dark raisins, even if they have been treated with an emulsion. As a result, weather conditions are another thing that must be taken into account when drying fruits.
Types and grading of Sultana raisins
Iranian sultana raisins are available in two colors:
– Light brown
– Dark brown
Among the most important buyers of Iranian Sultana raisins, the following can be mentioned
-European countries
-Canada
-Australia
-Poland
-Germany
-Arab countries of the Persian Gulf
-Russia
And..
GOLDEN KASHMAR RAISIN
Kashmar raisins, also called long raisins, are produced from local varieties of Iranian grapes.
Kashmar golden raisin has various quality levels. This product is one of Iran’s export products, and the main export of this type of raisins is to neighboring countries, especially Arab countries.
Long golden raisin has a stunning appearance and its many properties have made this type of raisin very popular.
Golden kashmar raisins are mostly used in processing industries and some are eaten as fresh raisins.
The grape that is used to produce golden Kashmar raisins is actually the same grape that is used to produce green raisins.
The difference between the appearance and taste of golden raisins and green raisins is in the production method of raisins.
Long golden raisin quality life is longer than long green raisin and it is more suitable for export.
GREEN KASHMAR RAISIN
Kashmar green raisins are the result of drying long seedless grapes. This type of raisin is very popular with people who are not interested in using sweets because of its low-sweet taste and low sugar content. The texture of this raisin is soft and its color is green.
Long green raisins are produced from Pikami grapes.
Long Green Raisin is an organic, very healthy product with high nutritional value and tonic.
This type of raisin is a nut raisin and is usually consumed with different nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, almonds, etc.
Due to its organic nature and the method of production of this type of raisin, which is free from any contamination, the useful life of green raisin is low and it needs to be carefully stored.
The real taste of raisins can be felt by using long green raisins. Green Kashmar raisin has a lot of diversity in terms of appearance and production quality.
The production of this type of raisin is specific to Kashmir and Khalilabad cities in Razavi Khorasan province.
The combination of this raisins with walnuts, pistachios, and almonds is a natural and healthy snack recommended for children and adults. It is highly recommended to use long green raisins as a snack for children and students, which increases mental and physical ability due to the presence of many salts and minerals in green raisins.
Benefits of consuming raisins
Different types of raisins have their own advantages and characteristics that have made this product popular among domestic and foreign customers.
Among the benefits of consuming raisins are:
.Lowering blood pressure
.Help to treat anemia
.Protection of bones
.Prevention of cancer
.Providing the necessary vitamins for body
.Improving vascular function
.Dealing with stomach problems
Uses of Raisins
Iranian raisins are versatile and can be used in various ways. You can eat them raw, soaked, or roasted, or add them to your favorite dishes. Here are some examples of how to use Iranian raisins:
You can soak them in water, milk, or juice, and enjoy them as a refreshing drink or a breakfast cereal.
You can roast them in the oven or a pan, and sprinkle them with salt, sugar, or spices, and snack on them as a crunchy treat.
You can add them to your salads, soups, stews, curries, or rice dishes, and enhance their flavor and nutrition.
You can mix them with nuts, seeds, chocolate, or dried fruits, and make your own trail mix or granola bars.
You can bake them into cookies, muffins, cakes, pies, or breads, and create delicious and moist desserts.
Why You Should Buy Raisins from Iran
Many countries produce and export raisins, but there is no doubt that raisins produced in Iran have a higher quality than raisins produced in other countries.
Among the features that make Iranian raisins special, the following can be mentioned:
.Beautiful and bright appearance
.Being seedless
.Pleasant and delicious taste and aroma
Be aware that Iran holds the distinction of being the third-largest raisin exporter globally.
In 2021 alone, Iran exported over $230 million worth of raisins to various corners of the world.
More than 80 countries rely on Iranian raisins for their culinary needs.
The tradition of raisin production dates back to around 2,000 BC, with both Iran and Egypt contributing to its early cultivation.
The price of raisins
Raisins, like other available products and dried fruits, are offered to customers at different prices based on the type of quality and freshness, and it is not possible to provide a fixed and specific price for it. The higher the quality of the desired raisin and the bigger it is, the higher the price will be. On the other hand, the freshness of the raisin can directly affect its price. In this way, fresh raisins have a higher price than last year’s raisins.
Also, the type of raisin production method also affects its price. In the way that raisins are produced traditionally or in factories, each of these methods will have an effect on the final price of raisins.
Also, the more uniform the color or size of the raisins, the higher the price.
If you’re looking to buy quality Iranian raisins, consider HAVA Foods Commercial Group.
We offer a wide selection, ensuring you get the best raisins and more.
Our consortium comprises several factories and manufacturers, ensuring top-notch different kinds of raisins for export.
So count on us and book your order about different kinds of iaranian raisins:
Email: info@havafoods.com
