Raisins, sultanas and currants have a long history in European baking, particularly in British cuisine, which has had a considerable influenced in Ireland. You’ll find them in all kinds of puddings, cakes and breads, especially around the winter holidays. All three vine-grown dried fruits are very similar, but bring different things to the table. Sometimes it can be hard to find sultanas or currants, and it’s ok to make substitutions when necessary!
Raisins are any grapes, like Muscat or Valencia, that have been dried (usually sun-dried), and when the term is used in Ireland and the UK, are usually dark brown in color. Most raisins in the US are made from Thompson Seedless grapes. Raisins are larger than sultanas and currants, and more absorbent.
Where to get raisins: raisins can be found in most supermarkets, gas stations, and corner stores.
Sultanas (or Thompsons) are a type of pale seedless grape. They originated in Asia and the Ottoman Empire, and were grown in the Izmir region of Turkey, where they were imported to the UK and Ireland. Most raisins are made from sultana grapes, but In the US sultanas refer to “golden raisins,” which are lighter than regular raisins due to being treated with sulfur dioxide. Golden raisins can come from any kind of grape, not just the sultana. Sultanas are usually smaller and sweeter than raisins and currants.
Where to get sultanas: sultanas can be bought as “golden raisins” in most supermarkets, or ordered on Amazon.
Currants, or Zante currants, are very small dried Black Corinth grapes and entirely difference from blackcurrants. They were traditionally exported from Κόρινθο (Corinth) and Ζάκυνθος (Zakynthos) in Greece, for which it was awarded a Protected Designation of Origin by the European Union. Currants are not as sweet as raisins and sultanas. Currants were mentioned by Pliny the Elder in 75 AD, and introduced to England in the 14th century.
Where to get currants: this one is a little more tricky. There is a chance that you could find them at a grocery store, but your best bet in the US is to order them on Amazon.
cleite agus cnámh 