Zante currant

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California Seedless Grape Raisins on the left and California Zante Currants on the right along with a metric ruler for scale.
California Seedless Grape Raisins on the left and California Zante Currants on the right along with a metric ruler for scale.
Zante Currants Packaging
Zante Currants Packaging
Zante Currants
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 280 kcal   1180 kJ
Carbohydrates     74 g
- Sugars  67 g
- Dietary fiber  7 g  
Fat 0.3 g
Protein 4 g
Calcium  86.0 mg 9%
Iron  3.3 mg 26%
Potassium  892.0 mg   19%
Sodium  8.0 mg 1%
Percentages are relative to US
recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient database


The Zante currant (Vitis vinifera) or currant is a variety of small, sweet, seedless grape named after Corinth (currant) and the Ionian island of Zakynthos (Zante) and not to be confused with the Ribes berries "currants" (eg blackcurrant, redcurrant), which are in a different family altogether. Their name apparently comes from Old French "raisins de Corauntz"; "Zante" was recently prepended to the name to distinguish them from the ribes berries "currants".

Zante currants are very small and intensely flavoured. They are not usually eaten raw, instead used for making raisins and occasionally wine. When dried, they are often referred to as dried currants or just "currants" and in this form are used in cooking, especially baking and are a major ingredient in currant slice and currant cake.

In the United Kingdom they are often used in scones, currant buns, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and mincemeat. They are sometimes sold mixed with raisins and sultanas as "mixed dried fruit".

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