Do you love raisins as much as I do? If so, I know you might have tried some food to taste the raisins as I have. Do you know that dried grapes come to as raisins? Yes, they are the grapes we all love to eat, even when they are fresh.
Did you know that raisins have a long history? You can find raisins mentioned in the bible as well. Ancient people have used raisins as offerings for gods. Not even they have awarded raisins as prizes for sports events.
Today the United States and Turkey contribute about 80% of the raisins production in the world. Seedless grapes are an ideal choice for making raisins. Thompson Seedless, pale yellow seedless are popular types of grapes for raisins.
Let’s find out more about raisins through this article.
Do Raisins Go Bad?
Raisins may go bad. They don’t last forever and you should eat them as soon as they are soft enough. Other than that, there is no need for concern.
Raisins and grapes can go bad if they are not handled properly and stored incorrectly.
The commonly accepted belief is that raisins go bad once they are opened, which is not true at all. The shelf life of the raisin will depend on the conditions it’s stored in and how dry and cool it is kept.
Yes, raisins may go bad and become hard and unusable past their prime. On the other hand, they also can stay at their optimal state for a long time without going bad.
How Long Do Raisins Last?
Raisins are dried grapes, with most of the water removed. Raisins are best stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
The shelf life of raisins is about 2 years if they are stored properly.
While you can test your raisins occasionally to check that they are still good, it’s better to just go by their “best by” date.
How To Store Raisins?
Raisins are dried grapes that can be found in most grocery stores. They are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Raisins contain about 65% of the water found in fresh grapes.
Storing raisins is a very simple process. Due to their high water content, they should be stored in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag inside a refrigerator. You must make sure to store them in airtight containers to avoid the bags from getting wet.
Airtight containers are not hard to find, you can get them at any departmental store.
If the package has not been open yet, you can store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight. The best place to store them is in the pantry or cupboard.
Once the package has been opened, you will need to store them in the refrigerator. Storing them in the fridge will extend their shelf-life by up to 3 months.
If you live in a hot climate, it’s best to store your raisins outside of the fridge because they may spoil more quickly due to heat fluctuations.
How To Tell When Raisins Have Gone Bad?
Raisins are a source of flavor and they don’t need to be refrigerated. However, there are certain bad signs that one should look out for when trying to determine whether the raisins have gone bad or not.
They can cause food poisoning due to their rancidity. If you are not sure if the raisins are spoiled, here are some other signs that will help determine whether or not your raisins are gone bad:
- If the juice is runny or contains yeast
- If they smell sour or have a weird smell
- If they feel mushy or soft when you squeeze them in your hand then they have most likely turned sour
- Raisins that are hard, wrinkled, shriveled, or sticky
How to Make Raisins at Home?
Making raisins at home is not a hard job. But I think the trick to making the best raisins at home is choosing the right type of grapes. I recommend buying Thompson Seedless grapes for the job.
Step 1: Put the grape as the bunch into boiling water for 30 seconds. Do not separate grapes from the bunch because it will cause the grapes to lose their nutrition.
Step 2: Directly put grapes into an ice bath to cool down. Then remove the stems and separate the grapes.
Step 3: Dry well with a towel and spread the grapes well on a baking sheet. Make sure to have only one layer.
Step 4: Set the oven temperature to 180 degrees and place the grapes in it for 18 – 24 hours. Turn the grapes to avoid sticking at 12 hours mark.
Step 5: Once the grapes are dark and wrinkly, take them out. Let them cool down for a while and place them in an airtight container.
Related Questions
How long are raisins good after the expiration date?
A lot of people assume that raisins will spoil within a few months after opening, but this is not true. The answer depends on the type of raisins and the length of time since they were opened. After the expiration date, raisins will last about a year if it has not been opened.
On the other hand, if they are opened and kept in a sealed container and refrigerated, they will only last for about 3 to 6 months.
Nevertheless, it is important that you keep them in an airtight container in order for them to stay fresh for longer periods of time.