Raisins on The Vine

Raisins on the vine

I was pleasantly surprised to find these at a local Armenian market. The last time I saw raisins on the vine was when I was in Algeria. They have them in France as well.

Raisins dried on the vine have a complexity of flavor that tray dried raisins don't have. These have an earthiness, a hint of smokiness and what I'm tempted to describe as sour tannin flavors. They have a caramel flavor that isn't has cloying as the tray dried raisins.

These are my raisins of choice for sweet meat tagines, but I would also use them on a cheese platter for a rustic and elegant touch.