What is raisin?

All about raisins and their health benefits

Dried fruits, especially raisins, are quickly gaining popularity for their health benefits and natural sweetness. Often used as a healthier alternative to sugar, raisins are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. If you’re unfamiliar with these nutrient-rich treats, here’s everything you need to know about raisins and their numerous health benefits.

Different Types of Raisins

Different types of raisins are made from different types of grapes. Therefore, they may have various shapes, sizes, or colors. The process of producing them is almost similar in all types of raisins. We’re going to explain that later. First, let’s know the varieties of raisins.

About raisins

Raisins are dried grapes, typically processed through sun-drying or oven-drying. Their color indicates the drying method used—brown raisins result from sun-drying, while golden raisins are usually oven-dried and often treated with sulfur dioxide to maintain their color. However, raisins come in various colors depending on the grape variety and drying process, which we’ll explore later.

While the drying method has minimal impact on taste, the sweetness of raisins primarily depends on the grape variety. Since no additives are used in natural drying, the drying process itself concentrates the fruit’s sugars, making raisins significantly sweeter than fresh grapes.

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Iran is the third country after Turkey and USA that not only produces but also export raisins. Iranian raisins are so popular around the world. Pink Star Company is one of the exporters of raisins and other dried fruits. We guarantee our products and export them in high-quality packaging. Being connected to the farms in different parts of the country has helped us become aware of the process of raisin production from beginning to the end. Therefore, we assure our customers about the health and quality of the products we sell.

PinkStar Raisin Production and Processing Process

Raisins are produced with different methods. However, the most popular and used method of raisin production is the natural drying method.

Iranian Raisins

Iran is among the popular countries that produce high-quality raisins. Apart from other mentioned types of raisins, Kashmari raisins are one of the well-known types of Iranian raisins that are produced from seedless grapes that are local Iranian type. This type of raisins has a long shape and comes in two different colors: golden and green.

Kashmari raisins have somehow a different taste. It is not as sweet as other types of raisins and is famous for its semi-sweet/semi-sour taste. It is the best choice for people who don’t like the extreme sweetness of other types of raisins.

Iranian golden raisins are primarily produced in Malayer, where the ideal climate and soil conditions make it one of the best regions for growing raisins. As a result, Malayeri raisins are highly sought after worldwide for their exceptional quality.

While golden raisins are also cultivated in regions like East Azarbaijan, Bonab, and Takestan, Malayeri raisins stand out with their slightly darker color. Some even compare their appearance to Sultanas due to their similar shape and hue.

This distinct difference, along with their top-tier quality, makes Iranian golden raisins—especially those from Malayer—some of the finest in the world.

5 health benefits of raisins

1. Full of antioxidants

Since raisins are made by drying out grapes, they are nutritionally very similar to this fruit. Grapes are a great source of antioxidants. Therefore, their dried counterpart is full of antioxidants too. Antioxidants protect the body against damages caused by free radicals. One of them is skin aging, which is important for most people. Raisins can slow down the process of skin aging and prevent cell damages that may lead to different types of cancers. Selenium in raisins is also another reason why raisins are good for skin health.

2. Lower risk of heart diseases

Aside from antioxidants essentials that can prevent diseases such as heart stroke, the amount of iron in raisin is another reason that can lead to cardiovascular health. Iron helps with blood flow, which is beneficial to the cardiovascular system.

3. Prevent anemia

Iron, copper, and vitamins are essential for making red blood cells. Therefore, it is necessary to have a diet that has enough of these essentials. Adding raisins to your daily snack can help your body produce more blood cells and carry oxygen throughout the body. People who add raisins to their diet will lower the risk of anemia in their bodies.

4. Lower blood sugar

Raisins are sweet, but since they contain natural sugar, the sweetness of this dried fruit is not as damaging as artificial sugar. Therefore, it is the best choice for people who have a sweet craving. However, raisins or any other dried fruits have more concentrated sugar compared to their fresh ones. As a result, it is always recommended to avoid overeating them. Keep an eye on the amount of raisins you consume during the day.

5. Great source of fiber

Fiber is essential for digestion. That’s why eating raisin is good for the digestive system. Every ounce of raisins contains 1 gram of fiber, which can improve digesting health. However, to have a healthy digestive system you need to add other healthy snacks to your diet too. So, don’t depend on raisins only.

Note: Please keep in mind that to have a healthy life you should mix healthy foods. Therefore, you should avoid eating raisins more than enough. It is always recommended to add other healthy snacks, such as nuts, to your daily diet.

The healthy amount of raisin intake is almost 90 raisins per day. The number may change based on the type of raisins. But consuming more amounts may cause diarrhea or even increase blood sugar in an unhealthy way and even lead to weight gain.

Raisin Storage

One of the key benefits of buying dried fruits like raisins is that you can enjoy them year-round. Since they’re dried, they won’t spoil or go to waste. Simply store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Raisins don’t require special storage conditions—they can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator. However, to maintain their freshness and quality for a longer period, it’s important to store them in a sealed container.

Raisin export statistics in 2024 in Iran

In terms of exports, Iran has exported about 107 thousand tons of raisins to various countries in 1402 (2023/2024). These exports have been made to countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland and other countries.

Raisin production statistics in 2024 in Iran

In 2024, Iran is considered one of the main producers of this product in the world, with an annual production of 300,000 tons of raisins. Malekan County in East Azerbaijan Province has a significant share of this production, with a production of 80,000 tons.