Abstract
Natural sun-dried raisins are susceptible to crop loss and quality reduction when rainfall occurs during the 2-3 week drying period. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of rainfall at selected stages of the raisin drying period on raisin quality. Thompson Seedless grapes were harvested and dried in the field using normal commercial practices. Raisins were moved to a humid chamber at the green, brown, turn, and roll stages of the drying period. Then, raisins were misted with 6.4 or 25.4 mm of water to simulate rainfall. Samples remained under humid conditions for approximately 48 hours after which they were returned to the field to complete the drying process. Raisin quality was evaluated by USDA incoming inspection procedures. The amount of rainfall had little effect on raisin quality at the levels in this experiment. However, raisin quality was significantly reduced when rainfall occurred at the green and brown stage of drying. Raisins which received rainfall at the turn and roll stages of drying were of comparable quality as control raisins.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
