Raisins “Soyaki” (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. Soyaki raisins are made from seedless white grape varieties grown in the vineyards of the Fergana Valley and the Samarkand and Namangan regions, where long, hot summers and mountain-fed irrigation water give the berries high natural sugar. The grapes are hand-cut in late summer at full ripeness, when the berries are firm, translucent and evenly coloured. Instead of being laid out in the sun, the bunches are hung in a soyakhona — a traditional, well-ventilated clay drying house — where warm dry air circulates around them for several weeks. Drying in the shade protects the natural chlorophyll and gives Soyaki its signature olive-green to amber-green colour, soft skin and clean, fresh grape aroma.

2. Processing and packaging details: After drying, the raisins are removed from the stems and passed through cleaning lines that separate small stalks, caps, dust and foreign matter. They are washed, gently dried and carefully sorted by size and colour; damaged, sugared or discoloured berries are removed by hand and machine inspection. The product is offered in two calibres: Size 1 (large, select berries) and Size 4 (smaller, economical grade, ideal for industry and baking). A light coating of food-grade vegetable oil can be applied on request to keep the berries free-flowing. Soyaki is packed in clean, food-grade polyethylene liners inside export cartons, protecting it from moisture and preserving its colour during long-distance 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: Soyaki raisins are a concentrated source of natural energy from fruit sugars (glucose and fructose), making them an ideal snack for active people, students and athletes. They provide dietary fibre that supports healthy digestion, along with potassium, which helps maintain normal blood pressure, and iron, copper and magnesium. Grape-derived polyphenols act as natural antioxidants. Because Soyaki is shade-dried, it keeps a lighter flavour and more of its delicate natural character than strongly sun-dried raisins. As with all dried fruit, it is energy-dense and best enjoyed in moderate portions. Soyaki is the traditional raisin for Uzbek plov and festive rice dishes, and it is equally loved on the dastarkhan as a table snack with nuts and green tea. It is excellent in muesli, granola, porridge, cakes, muffins, cookies and bread, and in salads, stuffings and meat dishes where a gentle sweetness is needed. Wholesale buyers use it for retail packs, trail mixes, confectionery and bakery production.

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