THE DIFFERENCE
Both originate from dried grapes, but raisins are the dried version of the bigger-sized grape varieties of which Sultana is the most well-known.
The currant is the dried version of one specific variety of small grapes (mainly grown in Greece).
Raisins are sweet whereas currants are a bit sourer.

WHERE
Türkiye and the United States grow approximately 80% of the world’s supply of raisins.
For currants this goes for Greece and South Africa.

WHEN
The yearly harvest of both raisins and currants takes place in the month of August.
For raisins the harvested bunches of grapes are sun-dried. This process, lasting for seven to ten days takes place in open air on plastic foil, so that the chances of pollution are minimal. The sun obviously plays an important role while drying. When it rains a lot, the harvest may be badly damaged and the fruits will acquire a darker color.

After drying, the raisins are transported to the factory for processing. This is done mechanically as much as possible by means of laser scanners and X ray machines; of course, everything passes metal detection, and dirt, stones and stalks are removed. In order to achieve even greater purity, the raisins are gleaned manually, thus enabling Stolp to supply raisins guaranteeing just one stone per 5000 kg.

For currants the bunches are hand cut from the shrubs while harvesting. 
The drying process of currants may be compared to that of raisins. The bunches of grapes are sun-dried on plastic foil. The percentage of moisture decreases, the fruit shrinks and falls off the stalk of its own accord. The drying period for currants, depending on the weather lasts seven to fourteen days. The farmers increasingly use diaphanous plastic foil to protect their currants from the rain during drying; a very labor-intensive activity.

The currants are then washed, stones, stems and stalks being removed. Purity and size determine the quality of the currants. Currants are sorted according to size in the factory by means of rotary sieves. When the currants have been cleaned, sorted and packed, they are shipped.

WHY
Both products are referred to as ‘nature’s candy’ due to their high calorie and sugar values, making them a great and healthy performance-fuel.
Additionally, a handful brings you 3.3g of fiber, 1.3mg of iron and 45mg of calcium. They are an exceptional source of antioxidants.

A happy & healthy addition to your product.

Our factories produce according to the Stolp International specifications or the specifications of our customers. We make sure all quality requirements are met through reports of analysis of origin, entrance controls and analysis performed by accredited laboratories.

And of course, completely in line with the Stolp International goals: you get the best quality (under BRC AA certification) at affordable prices.

You work with Tosca (formerly known as Contraload) pallets? Don’t worry: we can deliver your products on these pallets too.

Direct full truck/container deliveries from origin to you are possible under our responsibility and risk, but so are on-call contracts in which a certain quantity at a certain price is being guaranteed for your call-offs to be made over a certain period of time, assuring you of the availability of your products as you want them & when you need them.

For advice, questions, guidance and of course price offers, please contact us through e-mail or +31 (0)33 299 17 11.