Raisin

Raisin sec

What it is

Grapes that dried on the vine were almost certainly the first dried fruit anyone ate, since it happens without human help. Corinth gave its name to the currant, Smyrna to the sultana — the varieties are named after their ports.

In the kitchen

Plump them in warm liquid — rum, tea, wine — for twenty minutes before baking. Dry, they steal moisture from the crumb.

Goes with

Cinnamon Almond T55 flour Pine nut Swiss chard Butter Honey Orange

Same species

Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale DOP Amontillado Armagnac Banyuls Brandy de Jerez Champagne vinegar

Also used with

Tartaric acid Green tomato New Zealand spinach Pedro Ximénez vinegar Lamb sweetbread Suet

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