Zante currant
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| Zante Currants Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) |
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| Energy 280 kcal 1180 kJ | ||||||||||||||||
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| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient database |
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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".

