If you want a substitute for your candies if you want to reduce your sweets, raisins are the best things to have. Raisins can help you break or make your oatmeal cookies. Raisins can be put in about anything, ranging from baked goods to cereal, salads, to trail mix, and you can even use them with risotto for your dinner.
There are so many things you can use raisins for and every kitchen should always have them, most especially because of the nutrition that is packed within them. However, if you buy them in bulk, there is a need to know where you should store them. Raisins are dried fruits and can be well kept in the cupboard and refrigerator, but you may have thought about whether they can be frozen.
You can freeze your raisins and they will remain fresh inside the freezer for over a year. Raisins only have a little water within them because they are dried fruit and this makes them very ideal to be frozen. You will notice that they will look almost the same way you have placed them inside the freeze when you remove them and there wouldn’t be any need to be concerned about them getting spoilt. If you want to find out how you should freeze raisins or how you can store them, then you need to continue reading this article.
Best Practices for Freezing Raisins
You may not want to freeze your raisins into a large ball, if you want to get them to freeze with the best method, then spread your raisins on your baking sheet that you have lined with a piece of parchment paper. Ensure you put a bit of space between them so that they will stay separate.
Allow it to freeze thoroughly or for about 30 minutes. After then, you may collect all of them into a Tupperware container or freezable Ziploc bag. You may not use our pre-freezing process if the raisins are well sugar-coated, all you need to do transfer them into your container or bag. The sugar works to ensure they do not stick together.
Ensure you seal them well in an air-tight package because you wouldn’t want any moisture or air to come close to the raisins. You may also package the raisins individually in different freezer bags so that you will not defrost the whole container when you only need some. If you package them well, your raisins will remain almost indefinitely inside the freezer. Despite this, the best thing is to the raisins within two years that you have frozen them.
How To Defrost Frozen Raisins
You need to be careful about moisture when you want to defrost your raisins because moisture could have formed from condensation inside the freezer. The best thing to do is to allow it to stay inside the fridge in the sealed container to thaw overnight before using them. The thing is that once the package is opened, they will be exposed to air which if not defrosted, there might be a condensation of warm air on your cold raisins that could create moisture.
You may then treat the raisins just like when you just bought them once they have been thawed. If you want to use the raisins in baking, there is no need to defrost them, all you need to do is to toss them simply into the recipe. No extra moisture will be added to the baking recipe.
The Best Way to Store Raisins
Dried fruits including raisins can last for a very long time even without freezing them. However, they could dry out or clump together after a while which you wouldn’t like. You need to properly store your raisins. Once you open the package of raisins, you need to pour them into an air-tight container because any moisture should not be exposed to the berries.
If you can keep them in an enclosed dark, cool, and dry place, it will also serve as a factor to help them last for a longer time.
When they are kept from moisture, mold will be prevented from growing on them. Being out of the light will stop them from becoming dry too much as well as getting rock hard. They can stay for a minimum of 6 months if you store them right. If you check most packages, you will see an exact estimated date.
Do Raisins Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?
The best method to use to extend the life of your raisins is to put them inside the fridge if your place is hot or in humid condition. Always remember to keep them safe in an air-tight container or bag that is well-sealed because when you put them inside a refrigerator they will be at a higher risk of drying and then going hard. In case the raisins become too hard, soak them in water for about 10 to 15 minutes for them to be rehydrated a little.
How to Tell if Raisins Have Gone Bad
Because raisins are dried fruit, they store well but you could see them go bad just like any other food. The first clue you are likely to notice is mold and it will most probably be as a result of not be stored properly and being exposed to air and moisture. Once you notice mold, discard the whole supply because it could also be found on others which may not be visible. You could get sick as a result.
Another way is to know if your raisins have become bad is to smell them, once you notice a fermented or tangy smell, discard them. Furthermore, if you realize there is a color change, do not eat them. If you are not sure whether they have become bad, you could eat part of it to check and you will detect from the taste.
Related Questions
Currents vs Raisins – what is the difference?
Currents and raisins are both gotten from grapes after dehydrating. However, the major difference can be found in a variety of grape. Currents are found smaller as compared to raisins. Currents are made from a seedless grape called Zante grape that originates from Greece. Because currents are small, they are rarely eaten alone, they are used commonly in cooking and baking.
Raisins, however, are from some other variety of grapes to create different textures, sizes, colors, and flavors of raisin. Golden raisins could be found to be slightly juicy and plump while dark raisins are found to be more chewy and shriveled and much drier. Raisins can both be eaten alone as well as being used in baking and cooking.
Can raisins cause diarrhea?
It has been found out that some dried fruit causes diarrhea whenever they are taken in very large quantities. Raisins are among as well as dates, prunes, and figs. You could eat a little with your cookies or trail mix. However, eating them just like candies will not be too good. Raisins have been found to help solve digestive problems like constipation for some people. They are a natural laxative and have high fibers.
Are raisins gluten-free?
Yes, naturally, raisins are considered to be gluten-free. If you are very sensitive to products that are gluten or you have celiac disorders, ensure you check the package to know if what you want to buy is entirely gluten-free so you could be protected from cross-contamination.
Are raisins Keto?
No, raisins cannot be considered to be keto-friendly. In one serving containing one ounce, only about 22g of carbohydrates can be found and just one of the grams is fiber. You can better serve them with fresh berries.
Are raisins low FODMAP?
Raisins are considered low FODMAP. If you want to eat meals low in FODMAP because of digestive issues like trying to cope with IBS, avoid eating too many raisins at a sitting. However, they may cause issues not related because they are considered a laxative that is very natural.
How are raisins made?
You will get raisins by dehydrating grapes. The best type of raisins you will find are those sun-dried instead of those done in the dehydrator. The berry’s naturally sweetness is intensified through the process of drying and the fruit’s life-span is also lengthened ensuring you to store it for long without being concerned it would degrade.
Are raisins bad for dogs?
Generally, raisins have been termed to be toxic for dogs. This is also true about grapes. They could result in sudden and acute kidney failure that you will need a real essential treatment for your dog. Even though it has not been reported in cats to cause a reaction, you need to be careful not to force grapes or raisins on your pet.
Are raisins healthy?
Contained in raisins are various nutrition most especially if the grapes have been dried by you because you will be able to trace the quality and freshness of your fruit. They help to keep the digestive system on the correct track thanks to their high content of iron. They are also contained in large amounts with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that help to boost immunity. Ensure you watch out for added sugars on packaged grapes because the fruit is high in natural sugar and the added sugar could derail the diet.
