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The '''sultana''' (also called the '''sultanina''' or '''sultani''') is a type of [[white]], [[seed]]less [[grape]] of [[Turkey|Turkish]] origin. It is also the name given to the [[raisin]] made from it; such '''sultana raisins''' are often called simply ''sultanas'' or ''sultanis.'' These are typically larger than the [[Zante currant|currant]]s made from Zante grapes, but smaller than "normal" raisins.

Sultana raisins have a delicate and unique flavor and are especially noted for their sweetness and golden colour.<ref name="kew">{{cite web|author=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]]|url=http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/plantfacts/festivefoods/raisins.html|title=Plant Facts: Christmas: Raisins|accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref>

The sultana raisin was traditionally imported to the English-speaking world from the [[Ottoman Empire]], hence the name ''[[sultana (title)|sultana]],'' from the feminine form of ''[[sultan]]''. Turkey and Australia are major producers.<ref name="oed">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=[[Oxford English Dictionary]]|edition=2nd ed.|year=1989|article=Sultana}}</ref>

The sultana grape is cultivated in the [[United States]] under the name '''Thompson Seedless''', named after [[William Thompson (viticulturist)|William Thompson]], a [[viticulturist]] who was an early grower in [[California]] and is sometimes credited with the variety's introduction.<ref name="ahr">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=[[American Heritage Dictionary]]|article=Sultana|url=http://www.bartleby.com/61/86/S0878600.html|edition=4th ed.|year=2000}}</ref><ref name="appellationamerica">{{cite web|author=Appellation America|title=Thompson Seedless|url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/grape-varietal/Thompson-Seedless.html|accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> According to the U.S. [[Code of Federal Regulations]], the two names are synonymous.<ref name="7cfr999.300">{{cite web|title=United States Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 999.300|url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/7cfr999.300.htm|accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> Virtually all of California raisin production (approximately 97% in [[2000]]) and roughly one-third of California's total grape area is of this variety, making it the single most widely-planted variety.<ref name="usda">{{cite web|author=[[United States Department of Agriculture]]|url=http://www.nass.usda.gov/ca/bul/acreage/2002/200206gabnarr.htm|title=California Grape Acreage Report, 2002 Crop|accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref><ref name="appellationamerica" />

Not all speakers of English make clear distinctions between different types of dried grapes (raisins, sultanas, currants), and golden-coloured raisins made from other grape varieties may be marketed as ''sultanas.'' In addition, virtually all California raisins are produced from the Thompson Seedless grape, even those which, because of different drying processes, are not golden like 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 [[sulfur]]ed, in distinction to "natural" raisins.<ref name="7cfr989.7">{{cite web|title=United States Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 989.7|url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/7cfr989.7.htm|accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> All non-organic sultana grapes in California and elsewhere are treated with the plant hormone [[gibberellin]].

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" />

== References ==
<references />

== See also ==
* [[Grape]]
* [[Raisin]]
* [[Zante currant]]

[[Category:Grape varieties]]
[[Category:Dried fruit]]
{{wine-grape-stub}}

Sultana (grape) - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 18:45, 5 November 2007