Raisins “Kunaki” (size 4)

Description

1. How it is grown and harvested: Uzbekistan is one of the world’s oldest grape-growing regions, and raisin making has been practised here for more than a thousand years. Dry air, little rainfall during the harvest season and long hours of sunshine allow grapes to be dried naturally with minimal risk of spoilage, which gives Uzbek raisins their reputation for clean, intense flavour. Kunaki raisins are made from seedless grapes grown in the vineyards of Uzbekistan. The name comes from the Uzbek word for sun, reflecting the method of drying: after hand-harvesting at full ripeness, the grapes are spread out in the open air and dried directly under the strong Central Asian sun. Intense sunlight and heat caramelise the natural sugars and give Kunaki its dark brown to almost black colour, firm, slightly wrinkled skin and a deep, sweet flavour with caramel notes.

2. Processing and packaging details: Once dry, the raisins are de-stemmed and run through cleaning lines that remove stems, sand, dust and foreign particles. They are washed, dried and sorted by size and quality, and imperfect berries are removed. Kunaki is offered in Size 1 (large) and Size 4 (smaller) calibres. It is packed in food-grade polyethylene liners in export cartons to keep it protected from moisture and contamination during storage and transport. Store raisins in a cool, dry place (ideally 5–15 °C, relative humidity below 65%), away from direct sunlight and strong odours. Under these conditions the product keeps its quality for 12 months or more. Natural sugar crystallisation on the surface over time is normal and does not affect quality. Each lot can be supplied with export documentation, including a phytosanitary certificate and certificate of origin, on request.

3. Health benefits and nutrition: Sun-dried raisins are a rich source of natural carbohydrates for energy and contain dietary fibre, potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium. Dark raisins are especially valued for their content of grape polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds. Kunaki is a natural, additive-free sweet that fits well into a balanced diet when eaten in reasonable amounts. Because the berries are dried whole in the sun with nothing added, Kunaki is a simple, honest product that many consumers prefer for everyday healthy eating. Kunaki’s bold flavour makes it a favourite for baking (bread, cakes, cookies, fruit loaves), for compotes and dried-fruit drinks, and for cooking with meat, rice and vegetables. It is also widely used in muesli, cereal bars and snack mixes, and by food manufacturers who need a robust, economical raisin.

Typical values. Sun-dried, no added sugar or colourants.