The major raisin producers in the world are United States, Turkey, and Iran. These together produce almost 80% of the total raisins of the world. In addition to raisin production, the top exporters of raisins are also present in these countries. Producers based in Iran and Turkey have excellent condition, machinery and climate, for raisins production and makes it ideal for customers to buy high quality raisins at the lowest price. In the other hand, some of producers also have high technology machines for producing fresh dried raisins, with California leading the way in all US states.
How Long Will Dried Raisins Last?
An unwrapped package of raisins lasts for 3-4 months past the date labeled on it. After opening the package and storing them in a sealed bag, raisins should keep quality for about 6 to 7 months. Storing the raisins without a tight seal, will cause them to dry out sooner. Raisins have a high shelf life, but that does not mean you should store them for years; even dried fruits are perishable goods and will dry out or degrade in quality at some point. Notice that once you open the bag of raisins, the shelf life of the leftover raisins depends on how you store them. If you seal them tightly, they should last for at least 6 months and please be realistic, if you open the package near the date labeled on the product, do not expect them to keep quality for that long.
Signs of spoilage with raisins are a little less obvious than with fresh grapes. Smell of the raisins is one of the best indicators to see if the raisins have gone bad or not. If it was all sour or rotten, they have gone bad and should not be used in recipes. You also better check for odor changes before using raisins that has been kept for longer than six months.
Another indication that shows raisins have gone bad is mold. No difference the product you use is organic green raisins or even golden green raisins or any other type of raisins, if there is any sign of mold growth anywhere on the raisins, it should not be consumed. Mold will not usually grow on raisins, unless external moisture has been affected the raisins. This can also happen if the raisins are kept in a highly humid environment, and is part of the reason it is important to store raisins well by using a tight packaging.
Another important indicator is the color of the raisins. Discoloration may sometimes point out to spoilage, but it does not certainly mean that the raisins have gone spoiled. When raisins start the discoloration process, if they have not gone spoiled yet, they are starting to. Notice that the flavor will be greatly reduced at this point.
What Can i Do With Old Raisins?
If the raisin you wish to use for different recipes is a little old, the only thing you need to do is to rehydrate them to plump them up before eating. Place the raisins in a bowl and pour boiling water to cover. They will soften in minutes. Rehydrating raisins also works great when adding raisins, or other dried fruits, to recipes when baking. One of the funniest things you can do with old raisins is soak them in water. For this, you just need to place the raisins in a mixing bowl or glass jar and add some water so that it covers the raisins by at least 1/2 inch. Then you should cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. It is even better to allow the raisins to hydrate for 3 to 4 days. Raisins will become very plump as they absorb the liquid. You can keep them in the refrigerator for a few weeks. When you want to use it, pass the required amount through a strainer. That is all you need to do when the raisins are old and a little bit hard.
Is it OK to Freeze Raisins?
Freezing raisins will extend their shelf life. Since raisin has low moisture content, the texture of the raisins does not change in the freezer. If you do not regularly use raisins, freezing them is a great choice. Raisins are not food products known for going spoiled fast, as long as you keep them in well humidity condition and store them well, they would last a few months past the date labeled on the product.
Store raisins in a dark, cool, and dry place as in a kitchen cabinet or a pantry. Once you open the package, seal it with a clip or transfer them into a freezer bag, so that they do not dry out. Raisins can be refrigerated after opening, but that is not a requirement. Since raisins contain little moisture, it makes them shelf-stable. After opening the package, one of the most important things is to keep the leftovers sealed tightly. If you plan on using the raisins within a month, you stick with the plastic wrapping they came in and seal it as tightly as you could.
In order to keep the raisins around for a longer period, transferring them to an airtight container or a freezer bag is a great option. A leaky packaging will cause the dried fruits to dry out and harden, and it is something you definitely do not want. Half-open raisins need to sit away from moisture to prevent mold growth, They also need to sit away from heat and light so they will not dry out. According to what mentioned earlier, pantry is the best place to store raisins.
Fresh Dried Raisins Bulk
Most people buy bulk raisins in order to save money. If you are a buyer for a restaurant, bakery or any type of food services that requires large amount of raisins, buying bulk raisins is the most economical way to purchase the amount of raisins necessary to meet your needs. When buying raisins in bulk, it is important to choose moist looking, clean raisins and do not buy them from uncovered shelves. Buying bulk raisin saves you money for sure but it is also important to supply it from a shop that never sacrifices quality for quantity. Raisins 1 kg and raisins 2kg and more quantities are available for the wholesale buyers.
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