Raisins are dried grapes, which are most popular in the East and the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The name comes from the Turkic word "Üzüm", which translates as "grapes". And though raisins and grapes have a lot in common, they still have different properties and purpose. Therefore, we consider the features of this product.
Calorie, Vitamins and Minerals
Calorie raisin is equal to 264 kcal per 100 grams. For immediate practical application, consider the calorie content in spoons and glasses. In 1 tsp. - 13.2 kcal; in 1 tbsp. l - 39.6 kcal; in 1 glass - 396 kcal. 1 tbsp. l dried grapes contain 0.44 g of protein, 0.09 g of fat, 9.9 g of carbohydrates.
There are several vitamins in dried fruit:
- B1 (thiamine) - 0.03 mg in 1 tbsp. l., it is 2.0% of the daily rate;
- B2 (riboflavin) - 0,012 mg in 1 tbsp. l (0.7%);
- PP (nicotinic acid) - 0.14 mg in 1 tbsp. l (0.9%).
Dried grapes are also rich in minerals. It contains: 28 mg of calcium, 30 mg of magnesium, 825 mg of potassium, 2.59 mg of iron, 0.18 mg of zinc, 12.0 mg of silicon, 8.9 mg of sodium, 15.0 mg of sulfur, 101.0 mg phosphorus, 9.0 mg of chlorine, 514.4 μg of aluminum, 625.0 μg of boron, 25.0 μg of vanadium, 0.80 μg of iodine, 8.0 μg of cobalt, 6.7 μg of lithium, 300.0 μg of manganese, 270.0 µg copper, 14.0 µg molybdenum, 3.0 µg arsenic, 1.60 µg nickel, 8.5 µg tin, 176.0 µg rubidium, 0.4 µg selenium, 723.0 µg strontium, 0, 15 μg of thallium, 233.9 μg of fluorine, 6.6 μg of chromium, 0.9 μg of zirconium.
Did you know? In the study of ancient Egyptian texts, it was found that the first dried grapes appeared in 2000 BC. er In Europe, it was spread by Phoenician traders in the 10th century BC. er
Varieties of raisins
- "Sabza" ("kishmish") - raisins with small bright berries of white or green grapes without seeds, high sugar. Widely used in the preparation of bread and confectionery.
- "Korinka" ("shigani") - the most useful type of dried grapes. It is added to baked sweets, as its berries are small, without stones. There are maroon-blue or bluish-black color.
- "Husayne" ("Germiana") - large dried grapes of amber color, has stones. It is the most meaty variety with a rich aroma. Most often used in the culinary business.
- "Malayar" - Iranian brown seedless raisins with round berries of the same size;
- "Sultana" - raisin beskostochkovy, light brown color. Grown in Iran;
- Golden - sugar, pitted, golden color.
Learn how to make raisins at home.
There are several types of grapes depending on the technology of drying:
- "Sabza" - pitted raisins, dried after treatment with alkali;
- "Sabza Golden" - it is treated with a solution of alkali, and then fumigation with sulfuric anhydride;
- "Bedona" - seedless fruit, sun-dried without any other processing;
- "Soyagi" - dried in the shade without special treatment;
- "Hermian Golden" - treated with a solution of alkali and fumigated sulfur dioxide.
What is useful raisins
Dried grapes from ancient times are eaten, especially for the preparation of confectionery. It is used for quick recuperation after active physical labor.
The analyzed product is an antioxidant and stimulator of immunity, treats bleeding in the gums. For heart disease, the product is consumed because of potassium and magnesium.
Dried fruit favorably affects the work of the intestines, treats constipation, soothes. Phosphorus in dried grapes stimulates brain function. 
Important! Do not eat unwashed raisins. Before use, it must be washed and doused with boiling water, since during the drying of the grapes it could have been chemically treated.
For women, in particular, pregnant women
Raisins are used during pregnancy. In women in this condition, the condition of teeth, nails and hair may deteriorate. Dried grapes help with such problems.
Raisins are useful for women because they are able to strengthen and energize the body before a planned pregnancy is better than any medication. On the day you can eat 20-30 grams of a natural product.
If a pregnant woman has excess weight, you should abandon the sweetness, or use as much as your doctor will allow.
Due to the folic and nicotinic acid contained in the product, the development of the pathology of the child in the womb is reduced. 
Potassium can strengthen the heart and prevent the onset of edema. With iron you can protect a pregnant from anemia.
In addition, this substance contributes to the formation of the skeleton and bone tissue of the child, reduces the likelihood of toxicosis and nausea. If they have already appeared, a handful of dried grapes will ease their symptoms.
For men
If you use 30-50 g of raisins, you can get rid of problems with sexual arousal, erectile dysfunction, impotence, premature ejaculation, hormonal disruptions.
When impotence also take infusions of goji berries, portulaca, milkweed, rosemary, goldenrod, Avran medicinal.Also, the components of the dried fruit restore the required level of testosterone and estrogen, are involved in spermatogenesis. Therefore, doctors recommend that men over 40 years of age use dried grapes several times a week.
For kids
Raisins are also good for children. It is sweeter and more natural than candy. During the winter cold, when catarrhal diseases occur, dried fruit is used to increase immunity. It will also be useful during recovery. 
Grapes in dried form strengthens bones and teeth. This product begins to feed children after two years. Previously, you can only use a decoction of the fruit. Dr. Komarovsky advises this remedy for constipation.
The decoction will bring more good fresh, because with long-term storage, it loses its useful characteristics.
Raisins for weight loss: the benefits or harm
Due to the content of only natural sugar in the form of fructose and glucose, dried grapes are less able to turn into fat. Plant fiber helps to improve bowel movement, which removes toxins faster and more efficiently.
During weight loss more suitable black raisins (blue grapes), as it is less high-calorie and does not contain cholesterol.
Dried fruit fibers swell in the body, increasing in volume, quickly giving a feeling of satiety. Small portions of dried grapes (20-30 g) quickly saturate and make it impossible to overeat. Moreover, the dried fruit contains ingredients that effectively break down fat.
Dried grapes are less calorie than sweets and other pastries. Therefore, during a diet they can satisfy hunger (5-7 raisins). 
The infusion of dried grapes can be added to the oatmeal, which will give it sweetness and provide long-term satiety. Dry grapes are recommended to put in a salad, dessert, casserole, porridge. In this case, it will replace sugar.
If a person needs to avoid snacking, during the day you can drink raisin compote. Before going to bed during dieting, hungry insomnia happens. To get rid of it, drink raisin tea.
During the diet, the diet can be simplified, and the body can not get the right dose of vitamins and minerals. To replenish nutrients consume dried grapes.
Important! But still it is necessary to observe the measure in everything and not to overeat high-calorie dried fruits. As in this case, the diet will be useless.
How much per day can you eat
A healthy adult can eat 30 grams of raisins per day, spreading this portion into 2 even doses. If you follow this rule, the dried fruit is better absorbed and fill the body with useful substances. 
Contraindications and harm
Despite the beneficial properties of raisins, there are cases when it is not desirable to use. Dried grapes are contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus (type 1 and 2), obesity, gastric ulcer, gallstone disease, enterocolitis, mouth ulcers, cardiovascular insufficiency, tuberculosis, and digestive problems.
If there is a lot of sugar in grapes, then it is 8 times more in raisins. Therefore, it is better not to abuse them. Also, you can not eat this product if you are allergic to it.
How to choose raisins when buying
Modern technologies and chemicals can extend the shelf life of dried grapes. But after using them, the useful properties, quality and safety of the product are lost.
Therefore, we consider the rules that should be followed during the purchase of goods.
- The white grapes become dark after drying, so the dried fruit turns brown. Black grapes, drying, becomes purple-brown. If you see dried fruit of a golden color, sulfites are added to it. They are preservatives that retain the color of the original product (grapes).
- High-quality, safe, suitable for the use of raisins has no gloss. If it appears, it is only due to the addition of vaseline oil. It is not absorbed and removes vitamins, vitamin deficiency develops.
- The taste of raisins should be sweet, without bitterness, non-acidic.
- Normal raisins are hard, fleshy, intact.
- It is better to buy dried grapes in a transparent package, because through it you can see the condition of the dried fruit.
- Dried grapes have a ponytail. This guarantees high quality dried grapes, the processing of which was minimal.
Did you know? During the blockade of the western part of Berlin in 1948, the only way to deliver food was by air. US pilot Gale Helvorsen decided to save the situation and dropped teabags with sweets before landing at Tempelhof. The contents of the package consisted of chocolate, chewing gum and raisins. By analogy, all the cargo planes that transported food products destined to the west of Berlin began to be referred to as "ram bombers".
How to store raisins at home
Usually, home conditions allow you to store raisins from 5 to 6 months. At the beginning you need to prepare the product for long-term storage. To do this, it is necessary to remove small debris from it and check for the presence of larvae, bugs or food moths.
The storage temperature of dried grapes, as well as all dried fruits, should be +10 ° C. At the same time it is necessary to prevent the increase of humidity in the storage of dried products.
Longer and more qualitatively the product will remain in glass or metal ware. It can also be stored in fabric bags, plastic containers or paper bags.
In order to preserve dried grapes longer, it is necessary to ventilate the food storage place from time to time in order to protect it from pests and mold.
If you store dried fruit in the refrigerator, ventilate the containers in which you keep it, as it may deteriorate due to lack of air. 
To store the dried fruit in the freezer, place it in plastic containers. Then it will be edible for a year.
What can be done
Dried grapes are often used by cooks. It is added to both sweet and salty dishes.
From dessert dishes you can make Christmas cookies with raisins. To do this, you will need 1.5 UF. flour, 0.5 tbsp. sugar, 60 g butter, 1 egg, 2 tbsp. l orange liqueur, 2 tsp. lemon peel, 1 tbsp. raisins.
Cold (but not ice cream) butter needs to be cut into small cubes, put them in flour, and rub with your hands to the state of crumbs. Add sugar, add raisins, zest, pour liqueur and beat eggs, knead dough.
From it to form a roller, whose diameter is 3-4 cm, cut into 20 pieces. Flatten each piece with palms to get round shaped cookies.
Put the cooked mass on a baking sheet, smeared with oil. Between the cookies should be a gap of 5 cm. Preheat the oven to 210 ° C.
Bake cookies should be for 20 minutes. Cooked cookies are smeared with butter, sprinkled with sugar. Fans of unusual combinations of tastes can cook East African chicken.
To do this, you need to take 3 kg of chicken thighs (peeled from the bones and skins), 3 pcs. Onions, salt and pepper at your discretion, chili (in powder form) - 1 tsp, the same amount of ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. curry, 0.5 tsp. cardamom, crushed on a grated ginger (2 tbsp. l.), 1 tbsp. dates, 1 tbsp. raisins, 0.5 tbsp. chicken broth, 1 tbsp. dry wine.
Chicken thighs are fried on both sides to get a golden hue. Fold into shape.
Salt with pepper, 1 tsp, is added to three browned onions. chili (powder), 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. curry, half a teaspoon of cardamom, 2 tbsp. l grated ginger. All this is laid out over the chicken.
Adds 1 UF. coarsely chopped dates, 1 tbsp. raisins, half a cup of chicken broth, 1 tbsp. dry wine. Baked dish under the foil for an hour at a temperature of 175 ° C. Dish served with rice.
If you are a supporter of Italian cuisine, you may like chocolate and raisin biscotti. You will need 200 g of flour, 100 g of sugar, 2 tbsp. l baking powder, 2 chicken eggs, 100 g of raisins, 100 g of dark chocolate. 
To prepare the dough, it is necessary to sift the flour, mixing sugar and baking powder into it. Chocolate should be broken into small pieces. Beaten eggs are poured into flour, dried grapes and chopped chocolate are added, the dough is kneaded.
Using a dough, you need to form a loaf, the length of which should be 25 cm. Put the loaf on a baking sheet soaked in butter, and bake for 20 minutes at a temperature of 180 ° C. Readiness dessert is easy to check for the appearance of a golden crust.
Folk treatment recipes
People widely use raisins for the treatment of many diseases. It will help cure diseases of the respiratory system: a cold, cough, bronchitis, tracheitis.
Juniper, black radish, lungfish, marsh mallow, verbena officinalis, nasturtium, mulberry, ordinary ivy, anise will help you to get rid of cough.To do this, soak 30 g of raisins for 40 minutes in cool water. Then drain the water, eat the entire portion shortly before bedtime, washing it down with warm milk.
Another recipe says that you need to take 100 grams of dried fruit and pour it with a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for 10 minutes, strain the liquid using gauze or a sieve and add 1 tbsp. l onion bulb juice.
This drink against cough drink 2-3 times throughout the day (0.5 tbsp. Half an hour before meals). Drink this drug every day until complete recovery. 
Raisin helps in the treatment of liver disease (stagnation of bile, heartburn, belching). To do this, take 0.5 st. boneless dried fruit, rinse, pour to the brim with warm water (boiled).
Insist throughout the day. In the morning on an empty stomach, you need to use the infused water and eat raisins. After that, the patient must lie on the bed for two hours, applying a warm heating pad to the right side.
This procedure is designed for a month once a week. This will clean the bile ducts.
Dried grapes helps and from depriving. To do this, the raisin is cut in half and wipe sore spots on the body. The tool is used until the versicolor is completely gone.
There is a popular cure for heart disease. To make it, you need to sort, wash and dry 2 kg of raisins without stones.
Then split in half. 1 kg to take 40 raisins in the morning before a meal (30 minutes). The remaining kilogram must be consumed on an empty stomach, each day reducing the number of raisins by 1 piece. This scheme can be treated twice a year. 
Dried grapes heals the body from ailments of the gastrointestinal tract. To do this, you can make a liquid, which consists of oats and raisins.
It will take 0.5 tbsp. washed raisins, 1.5 tbsp. oatmeal, water. Oats and raisins pour 1.5 liters of water, bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover with a lid and insist broth for 3-4 hours in the heat.
Then all this is filtered, add honey, lemon or cranberry juice to taste. Drink warm throughout the day at 0.5 st. half an hour before meals, for 10 days.
Raisins, as a vitamin and polymineral product, are extremely useful in diseases of the heart, intestines, oral cavity, irritability and exhaustion.
It is multifunctional, as compotes, decoctions, tinctures are prepared from it, used for medicinal purposes, in cooking. It can be eaten both for children and adults. But do not overeat, because it is high-calorie. 
