The world has consumed dried fruits for ages. Dried fruits have had their water drained or removed using different methods. Raisins and Black Raisins falls under the list of dried fruits that are sweet.
Black Raisins and Raisins are considered the same product, but there is a slight difference between them.
Raisins vs Black Raisins
The difference between raisins and black raisins is that Raisins are grapes that are dried or hydrated naturally or using some synthetical method. On the other hand, Black Raisins are a type or variety of raisins. Black raisins get black colour from the grape variety and the drying process. Raisins take less time to dry in comparison to black raisins.
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In modern French, the word Raisin means grape. Raisins are a type of sweet dried fruit. Grapes are dried to remove all the water, and then those dried grapes are called raisins.
They are consumed all over the world on a large scale. Alternatively, raisins can be eaten raw or added to foods when cooking or baking.
Black raisins are a subtype of raisins. They are black because of the grapes. As the grapes dry, the colour darkens. They are also called dried black grapes.
They have a high nutritional value and are available across the globe. They are also used in cooking and have various health benefits.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Raisins | Black Raisins |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A variety of dried fruit. | It is a subvariety of raisins. |
| Drying method | Use of Synthetical method | Use of Natural method |
| Drying time | About 24 hours | About 3-4 weeks |
| Nutritional value | Calorie count and fibre content are higher. | Calorie count and fibre content are slightly lower. |
| Varieties | Black raisins, Green raisins, Yellow raisins, Sultanas, Munakka, Currants | Jumbo black raisins, Small black raisins, Midget black raisins |
What are Raisins?
Raisins are sweet dried grapes. The Thompson seedless grapes make the raisins. Synthetical methods like water dipping or artificial dehydration methods help raisins to dry.
However, it is kept in mind that the nutrients of grapes retain during this process.
Usually, grapes get soaked in water and then are dried by blowing air on them. This process makes them raisins. The raisins get coated with sulphur dioxide for retaining their shine and smoothness.
It also helps to preserve the nutrients and flavour of grapes. They are spread on trays to let them dry. They take about 24 hours to dry. However, some moisture is kept in them that makes them fresh and fluffy.
The nutrients in the raisins are very high. They are beneficial to one’s health. That should be part of their diet. The caloric content for 100 grams of raisins is 299 calories. Per 100 grams of raisins are 95% carbohydrate, 1% fat and 4% protein.
One can add them to multiple dishes. They are added to various dishes to give a sweet and tangy flavour. Raisins are rich in vitamins and minerals.
They can help eliminate diseases like anaemia, cancer, food poisoning and heart problems. They contribute to making one’s bones strong. They help in digestion and improve eyes and skin health too.
Though raisins have a lot of benefits, excessive intake of raisins can harm one’s health. Risks involved in overeating raisins may include weight gain, acidity, bloating.
What are Black Raisins?
The variant of raisins is known as black raisins. Thompson seedless grapes make the black raisins. The sun-drying method helps the grapes to dry.
The grapes get spread on paper trays and left to dry under the sun. This natural process may take around 3-4 weeks to let the grapes dry. The process contributes to the black colour of raisins.
They are mixed with other ingredients to enhance the flavour of a particular dish. One can use them in the cooking and baking of various desserts.
They have a sweet and tangy flavour and are a little sticky. Black raisins have fewer calories in comparison to raisins. Including black raisins in one’s diet helps a person to become healthier.
They are beneficial for health in many ways. They help prevent hair fall. Skin improvement and elimination of blood impurities are also benefits of having black raisins.
They help in controlling blood pressure, controlling hypertension and diabetes. They are rich in potassium and calcium. Black raisins have sub-varieties like Jumbo black raisins, Midget black raisins and Small black raisins.
Like raisins, eating an excessive amount of black raisins can negatively affect one’s health. They can result in undesirable weight gain or allergic reactions.
Main Differences Between Raisins and Black Raisins
- Raisins are a type of sweet dried fruit. On the other hand, black raisins are a subtype of raisins. The variety of raisins is green, black, red and yellow raisins. The sub-varieties of black raisins can be jumbo, small and midget black raisins.
- Raisins are dried using a synthetical or mechanical method. They get soaked in warm water, followed by air blown on them. Whereas black raisins are dried using a natural process called sun-drying.
- The calorie count in raisins is more than compared to black raisins. Raisins mostly have a sweet taste. Black raisins are sweet and tangy in flavour.
- Raisins take around 24 hours to dry. However, black raisins take 3-4 weeks for drying. This difference is due to the difference in methods used.
- Raisins are nutritional, but black raisins are much more nutritional due to differences in nutrients. Raisins are mainly rich in vitamins and minerals. Black raisins are rich in potassium and calcium.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0271531710001375
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.6125
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
