Sultana (grape)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The sultana is a type of white, seedless grape of Turkish or Persian origin, as well as a type of raisin made from it; such sultana raisins are often called simply sultanas or sultanis. They are commonly used in South Asian cooking, where they are called Kishnish. These are typically larger than the currants made from Zante grapes but smaller than 'normal' raisins, and are noted for their sweetness and golden colour.<ref name="kew">Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plant Facts: Christmas: Raisins. Retrieved on 2006-06-15.</ref>
The sultana grape (also called the sultanina or sultani) is cultivated in the United States under the name Thompson Seedless, named for William Thompson, a viticulturist who was an early grower in California (sometimes credited with the variety's introduction).<ref name="ahr"> "Sultana". American Heritage Dictionary (4th ed.). (2000).</ref> <ref name="appellationamerica">Appellation America. Thompson Seedless. Retrieved on 2006-06-15.</ref> According to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, the two names are synonymous.<ref name="7cfr999.300">United States Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 999.300. Retrieved on 2006-06-15.</ref> Virtually all of California raisin production (approximately 97 percent in 2000) and roughly one-third of California's total grape acreage is of this variety, making it the single most widely-planted variety.<ref name="usda">United States Department of Agriculture. California Grape Acreage Report, 2002 Crop. Retrieved on 2006-06-15.</ref><ref name="appellationamerica" />
Sources of confusion are that not all speakers of English make clear distinctions between different types of dried grapes (raisins, sultanas, currants), and that golden-coloured raisins made from other grape varieties may be marketed as sultanas. In addition, virtually all California raisins are produced from the sultana (or Thompson Seedless) grape, even those which, because of different drying processes, do not resemble the traditional sultana raisin. The term sultana is not commonly used to refer to any type of raisin in American English; as most American raisins are from sultana grapes, they are called simply raisins or golden raisins, according to colour. The latter, which at least in colour resemble the traditional sultana raisin, are artificially dried and sulfured, in distinction to `natural' raisins.<ref name="7cfr989.7">United States Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 989.7. Retrieved on 2006-06-15.</ref> All non-organic sultana grapes in California and elsewhere are treated with the plant hormone gibberellin.
The sultana raisin was traditionally imported to the English-speaking world from the Ottoman Empire (hence the name sultana, from the feminine form of sultan) and Turkey and Australia are major producers.<ref name="oed"> "Sultana". Oxford English Dictionary (2nd ed.). (1989).</ref>
As well as serving as a snack food without further processing, sultana raisins are used in a variety of dishes, often prepared by soaking in water, fruit juice, or alcohol. The sultana grape is also used to make white wine, in which capacity it is known for sweet blandness.<ref name="ahr" /><ref name="appellationamerica" />
