Tiny, But Mighty Raisins!

Did you know that nearly all of raisin crops are grown in the Central San Joaquin Valley in California?  Raisins are basically grapes that are typically dried by the sun on the vines or on paper trays.  They vary in size and color; some are very small like the Zante currant that are made from the black Corinth grapes, which tend to have a bit more of a tarty flavor. The ones youtypically eat are average-sized, dark in color, seedless, have a much sweeter taste and are made from green colored grapes.

Other variations like the golden seedless raisins originate from the green colored grapes as well and taste the same as the dark colored ones, but the only difference is that a preservative is used in the golden raisins to maintain its color.

Luckily, tomorrow, April 30^th, we celebrate National Raisin Day!  Raisins may be small in size, yet are packed with nutrients and are a perfect sweet addition to meals and recipes or to simply be eaten and enjoyed as a snack.

Raisin Benefits

This classic dried fruit is more than just delicious – here are 4 reasons why you should start incorporating them into your menus:

1. Naturally sweet– That’s right, unlike many other dried fruits, raisins typically have no added sugar because they are sweet as is. This makes it a perfect addition to any baked good, yogurt, oatmeal, salad and virtually any meal if you want to add a hint of sweetness.

2. Great source of fiber– One serving size is equal to one-quarter cup of raisins, which provides 2 grams of fiber. Fiber helps aidyour digestive health, regulates bowel movements and maintains blood sugar levels.  It also helps you feel fuller for longer, making it the perfect snack between meals!

3. Counts as one serving of fruit– The American Heart Association recommends 4 servings of fruit per day for optimal health.Luckily, one-quarter cup of raisins counts as one serving of fruit!

4. Packed with potassium and antioxidants– Potassium assists with stabilizing your blood pressure, and the antioxidants help your body fight free radicals, which prevents cell damage.

Raisins can be enjoyed all year round and since they don’t spoil or need refrigeration, you can always have it at hand to take it with you to work, pack it in the kid’s lunch box or keep it handy in your pantry for when a raisin urge hits.

Get creative with raisins! Whether you make your own trail mix, add it into muffins, a chicken salad or eat as is, make the most out of these tiny, but mighty nutritious raisins!

Your turn to take action:  What foods to you add raisins to? Let me know in the comments below.

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