Raisins “Sultana Aftobi” (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. Sultana Aftobi is made from seedless sultana-type grapes grown in the hot, sunny regions of Uzbekistan. “Aftobi” means “of the sun”, and that is exactly how these raisins are made: after hand-harvesting at peak ripeness, the bunches are dried naturally in the open air under direct sunlight. The sun slowly evaporates the moisture and concentrates the natural sugars, producing an amber-brown raisin with a pleasant chew and a rich, rounded flavour. This is the oldest and simplest way of drying grapes in Central Asia, and it gives raisins a full, natural flavour that many customers associate with home-made dried fruit.

2. Processing and packaging details: The dried sultanas are de-stemmed, cleaned of stalks and field debris, washed and dried, then sorted by size and quality to ensure uniformity. Defective and foreign material is removed by machine and hand. Sultana Aftobi is available in Size 1 and Size 4 calibres and is packed in food-grade liners inside export cartons for safe, hygienic 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: Sultana Aftobi is a natural source of fruit sugars for quick energy, plus dietary fibre, potassium, iron and magnesium. Sun-dried grapes also supply antioxidant polyphenols. As a naturally sweet, additive-free product, it is a healthy replacement for sugar and confectionery in many recipes. Sultana Aftobi is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets and is naturally free of fat and cholesterol. These sultanas are an excellent all-purpose raisin for bakeries, confectionery, breakfast cereals and snack mixes, as well as for home cooking — plov, stews, sauces, compotes and desserts. Their competitive price makes them especially attractive for industrial and wholesale buyers.

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