The main difference currants sultanas and raisins is their taste and appearance. Currants are darker in colour and have an intense, sweet and tangy taste while sultanas are lighter in colour, sweeter and juicier than currants and raisins. Raisins are darker in colour and are larger than both sultanas and currants.
Currants, sultanas and raisins are small, sweet, dried fruits that come from different varieties of vine-grown grapes. They are used commonly in cakes and desserts. Moreover, they are essential ingredients in Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Currants
– Definition, Features
2. What are Sultanas
– Definition, Features
3. What are Raisins
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Currants Sultanas and Raisins
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Currants, Dried Fruits, Raisins, Sultanas
What are Currants
When we are talking about dried fruits, raisins are dried, dark red, seedless grapes. On its own, the name currant usually refers to fresh currant fruits; for example, black currants. The currants we use as dried fruits are often called Black Corinth grape. This name comes from the ancient city of Corinth. Currants are also known as Zante currants, and Corinth raisins. It’s in the UK and Ireland that the name currant is mostly used.
Black Corinth grapes were originally cultivated in Greece, particularly in the island of Zante; this is why some people know it as Zante currants. When these grapes are dried, they produce a shrivelled, black, sweet flavourful fruit.
What are Sultanas
Sultanas are dried white grapes that are seedless. Sometimes, these are also known as golden raisins. Moreover, the skin of these grapes starts off as pale yellow, and it doesn’t darken when the grapes are dried.
Figure 1: Sultanas
When we compare them with raisins, sultanas can easily absorb liquids. They are typically sweeter, plumper and juicier than raisins. Sultanas are also smaller in size. But they can be used in the same way as raisins. Turkey is the main producer of these dried fruits.
What are Raisins
Raisins are dried grapes, especially dried grapes with white flesh. Initially, these grapes have a green colour skin, but they darken as they dry, just like currants. Dried fruits have a dense texture, bursting with a sweet flavour. The United States, Greece, Turkey and Australia are the major producers of raisins.
Figure 2: Raisins vs Currants
Unlike currants, raisins can soak up other flavours. This is why raisins are usually soaked in alcohols like brandy before cooking. This soaking process makes a dish tastier. Raisins can be used in cakes, puddings and various confectionary. They can also be mixed into oatmeal and granola bars.
Difference Between Currants Sultanas and Raisins
Definition
Currants are dried, dark red, seedless grapes we often call Black Corinth grapes while sultanas are dried white grapes that are seedless, and raisins are dried grapes, specifically dried, white-fleshed grapes.
Appearance
Currants are darker in colour while sultanas are lighter in colour. Raisins, on the other hand, have a dark in colour and are typically larger than sultanas and currants.
Taste
Moreover, currants have an intense, sweet and tangy taste while raisins and sultanas are soft, sweet and juicy. Sultanas are especially sweeter than both raisins and currants.
Absorbing Flavours
Currants do not soak up other flavours, but raisins can soak up other flavours very well. Sultans can also soak up flavours, but not as well as raisins.
Conclusion
Currants are darker in colour and have an intense, sweet and tangy taste while sultanas are lighter in colour, sweeter and juicier than currants and raisins. Raisins are darker in colour and are larger than both sultanas and currants. Thus, this is the main difference between currants sultanas and raisins.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Grape Rasins plus Zante Currants” By I, Marc Kupper (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Raisins sec Sun – 3” By Lionel Allorge – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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