Yellow raisins are produced by following a specific process involving light-colored grapes and a special treatment. When light-colored grapes are used and treated with sulfur dioxide, the resulting raisins will be yellow.
The Process Explained
Getting those bright, golden raisins involves a key step that differentiates them from their darker counterparts. Unlike sun-drying which tends to darken grapes, yellow raisins undergo a process designed to preserve their lighter color.
Key Steps:
- Selecting the Grapes: The process begins with using light-colored grape varieties. These are typically green grapes.
- Sulfur Dioxide Treatment: The crucial step is treating the grapes with sulfur dioxide. This acts as a preservative, helping to prevent the natural browning that occurs during drying and maintaining the grape's original light color.
- Drying: The treated grapes are then dried, often in a controlled environment rather than direct sunlight, which can also help preserve their color.
This method results in raisins with a distinct yellow or golden hue, often slightly plumper and moister than standard brown raisins.
Other Names for Yellow Raisins
These uniquely colored raisins are known by several names:
- Yellow Raisins
- Golden Raisins
- Sultanas (Note: While often used interchangeably, true Sultanas historically come from a specific type of seedless grape and are typically treated this way).
Using sulfur dioxide is essential for achieving the characteristic bright yellow color. Without this treatment, even light-colored grapes would naturally darken during the drying process, similar to how a cut apple browns when exposed to air.
