Mince pies are a traditional festive treat. Mince pies typically contain both raisins and sultanas. But what is the difference?
Raisins and sultanas can actually be made from the same grape. Raisins are dried for around three weeks and darken as they dry, which gives raisins their dark brown colour.
Unlike raisins, sultanas are typically coated in a liquid containing vegetable oil prior to drying. This greatly increases the rate of water loss from the surface of the grape and therefore speeds up the drying process. For this reason, they are often lighter in colour than raisins and have a different flavour and texture.