RaisinsRaisinsDecember

Who can resist the sweet taste andunmistakable texture of dried grapes

and currants or, as most people call them, raisins? These delicious little morsels are created by simply dehydrating fresh grapes using a variety of processes. Some raisins aremade by letting grapes dry in the sun, while in some cases artificial heat is used to do the same thing. Either way, theresult is the same: a tasty and healthy treat that could easilybe considered nature's first candy.

But unlike candy, raisins offer a wide-range of health benefitsand can be used in recipes ranging from breads to sauces to

stuffing. Of course, there is nothing quite like raisins straightfrom the box; an enjoyable pick-me-up that kids and kids-at-heart have enjoyed literally for thousands of years!

So don't take raisins for granted! These little wrinkly driedfruits are a great addition to anyone's diet and they are probably one of the most portable fruits, dried or fresh. A small box of raisins will fit right in your pocket and can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere!

It would probably be safe to say that raisins were discovered by earlyhumans the first time they observed grapes dried out on the vine. Of course, this does not necessarily mean they ate them and they definitely did not call them raisins (that word would be coined muchlater), but they probably knew what they were. In fact, the process of drying-out fruit is the oldest known means of preserving it, and thepractice likely began many thousands of years ago.

It is believed that actual grape cultivation first began about 8,000years ago in a region called Transcaucasia, which are now the countries or Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Evidence suggests that it was around this time that, people began to realize the more intense and sweeter flavor of dried fruits, particularly grapes. Over the following millennia, grapes and their dried counterparts, raisins,made appearances in literature, religious writings and artwork, andplay a role in major historical events.

Raisins make an appearance in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible.Hannibal provided his army with raisins when they famously crossedthe Alps using elephants. The Ancient Romans used raisins as a formof currency, including rewards for athletic events and payment fortaxes! Christopher Columbus and many otherfamous sea voyagers discover the longevity ofraisins and brought them aboard their ships.Raisins appear in Shakespeare's “Winter's Tale”and Cervantes' “Don Quixote.” Raisins were astaple at George Washington's dinner table atMount Vernon.

Source: California Raisins®, Sun-Maid®

Snack Lollipops1/4 cup Butter or Margarine3 cup Miniature Marshmallows1/4 cup Sunflower Butter4 cup Fruity Cheerios Cereal1/2 cup Raisins1/3 cup Unsalted Sunflower Seeds10 Popsicle SticksCooking Spray

METHOD1. Place a sheet of waxed paper on a cookie sheet. Set

this aside for a few minutes.

2. In a 3 quart saucepan, heat butter and marshmallows over low heat. Stir constantly until melted and smooth.

3. Stir in the sunflower butter until well blended. Remove from heat.

4. Carefully stir in the cereal, raisins, and sunflower seeds. Let the mixture cool for 2 minutes.

5. Now the fun part: Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray. Using your hands, shape the mixture into 2-inch balls. Place the balls on the waxed paper and insert a popsicle stick into the center of each.

6. Cool completely, about 30 minutes, at room temperature.

7. Invite over 9 of your friends and enjoy!

8. Cover any leftover snack lollipops. Store at room temperature for 3 days.

A Tasty Treat To Try At Home

Produce Of The Month is a nutrition education program brought to you by Sodexo School Services .Produce of the Month is provided as a public service of Sodexo School Services. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this series, Sodexo, its agencies and affiliates, accept no responsibility for the opinions and information provided. In no event shall Sodexo, its agencies and affiliates, be liable forany special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the accuracy of any information provided through this series. The distribution of the Produce of the Month materials implies no endorsement, official or otherwise, of a specific produce, brand or vendor over another on the part of Sodexo, its agencies and affiliates.

The History of the Raisin

Welcome !

So you might ask yourself, “How are raisins so very healthy for me?” Well, youhave come to the right place for the answer!

Raisins are particularly high in a wide array of important minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, copper and potassium. One small box of raisins(about 1.5 ounces) also contains 4% daily value of Vitamin B6 and 3% dailyvalue of protein. But perhaps most importantly, raisins are high in antioxidants,which help prevent cell damage from oxygen, and a critical but often forgottenmineral called boron, which is especially important in bone health, particularly inwomen.

Sources: NutritionDate.com, WHFoods.com

• In A.D. 100, the first cookbook is written by Marcus Gavius Apicius, and included in the work are two recipes that include raisins.

• The first professional baseball team in Fresno, California, was formed in 1908 and received the nickname the “Raisin Eaters”.

• Producing one pound of raisins requires four pounds of grapes.

• Raisin juice and raisin paste are used in a variety of dairy, confectionary and bakery items.

• Lorraine Collett Peterson, a part-time worker at a packing company in California, was asked to pose for a painting. For the pose, Peterson wore a bonnet from her mother and held a tray full of grapes. It turned out painting was being commissioned by a new company from the San Joachin Valley called Sun-Maid®. Her pose and the painting became the basis for the Sun-Maid® Girl. The year was 1915.

• Despite being very healthy for humans, a small amount of grapes or raisins can cause renal failure in dogs!

• In 1962, Astronaut Scott Carpenter becomes the first person to eat raisins in space.

Sources: National Raisin Company, BellyBytes.com, Sun-Maid®

For More InformationFor more information about Raisins, please contact:

WHFoods.comNutritionData.comSunmaid.com

Did You Know That ...

Notable QuotableActing in Star Wars I felt like a raisin ina giant fruit salad, and I didn't evenknow who the cantaloupes were. - Mark Hamill

Bring forth the raisins and the nuts -Tonight All-Hallows' Spectre strutsAlong the moonlit way.- John Kendrick Bangs

The Ultimate Raisin Word Search

“Raisin” Up The Health

1. A 1.5 ounce serving of raisins provide 3% DV of what? ______________

2. This is the last name of the woman who modeled for Sun-Maid®. ______

3. One pound of raisins equals how many pounds of grapes? ____________

4. The ancient Romans used raisins as a form of what? ________________

5. Raisins were a staple at this U.S. President's dinner table. ____________

6. Raisins should not be given to this type of pet. _____________________

7. Raisins are high in these, which prevent cell damage from oxygen. _____

8. The "Raisin Eaters" baseball team was from what California city? _______

9. Boron, a mineral found in raisins, is important for this kind of health, especially in women. ______________

10. In 1962, Scott Carpenter became the first person to eat raisins where? ____________

From what you have just read, see if you can answer the followingquestions and find the answers in crossword puzzle below!

Answer KeyThe Ultimate Raisin Word Search1-Protein; 2-Peterson; 3-Four; 4-Currency; 5-Washington; 6-Dog; 7-Antioxidants;8-Fresno; 9-Bone; 10-Space

T U K R B F O U R N C X H G DR V G F W H D K E T F A K G LO U N R M N O T G N I H S A WD L Q E Y Y S G W X M E L U XF O K S R C T K L Y H Y B Z UW U G N Z N N K F T F Q S F YB Z J O T E A U N U I S P V RE N O B S R D S M D O N G F HB C H O E R I K Y G O R E P HB U Y S N U X J H S B N Z R MR Y O S S C O C R A V S N O BW R G P X K I E Q N T K P T OJ K Z A A A T D L S Q H N E ZI A P C S E N Z Z U I V O I OG K J E P V A W N I R S K N R