What is the Difference between Raisins, Sultanas and Currants.

By Elaine Lemm, About.com Guide

There is often great confusion on the difference between dried fruits used in British cooking - the 3 most popular being raisins, sultanas and currants.

• Raisins are dried white grapes. They are dried to produce a dark, sweet fruit. The grapes used are usually Moscatel.
• Sultanas are also dried white grapes but from seedless varieties. They are golden in color and tend to be plumper, sweeter and juicier than other raisins. Also referred to as Golden Raisins in the US.
• Currants are dried, black, seedless grapes. They are dried to produce a black, tiny shriveled - yet packed with flavor - fruit.
• Candied Mixed Peel is the thick peel of citrus fruits preserved in sugar.
• Glacé Cherries cherries, again preserved in sugar solution, as the cherry usually loses colour in the process, colouring is added making them a distinctive, bright red.