Malaga is rich in flavors and aromas. Malaga is rich in fruit, fish, meat, wine, beers, spirits, oils and, of course, also vegetables, salted meats and a multitude of local and exquisite products such as raisins. Products that dazzle the senses. And all of them are grouped under the promotional brand Sabor a Málaga.

Delicious Moscatel from La Axarquía and Manilva

The Raisins with Appellation of Origin Designation in Málaga are an exclusive product from the province and the region of La Axarquía and the Town of Manilva. This is an age-old produce which is made of Moscatel grapes. These are harvested in a traditional way and then sun dried naturally. The natural transformation process of grapes is the only one permitted by the Regulations for the Raisins from Málaga Designation of Origin, which guarantee their quality and traditional production. The result are raisins with characteristic flavour, texture and colour.

After the grape harvest, sun drying process is taken at the end of the summer. This is done in so called 'paseros' which challenge the passage of time.  They cover small surface, at an 8-degree angle that is appropriate for sun drying, where mature grapes are spread so they could turn into raisins. It takes approximately two weeks, depending on the weather, to completely dry grapes and turn them into raisins. However, the bunches of grapes must be turned over so they could dry well. After this part the grapes are manually separated. The custom according to which the entire family perform the process that ends in the product which is part of Málaga's cultural heritage still prevails.

Features

The result are rather big raisins in comparison with those that can be purchased in the market, such as Sultana or currant types. According to the Regulations regarding the Origin Designation, there cannot be more than 80 pieces of fruit in 100 grams. Besides their size and round shape, their colour is also unique, as sun-drying process makes them turn dark violet, which is different than reddish shades and other colours obtained from early harvested grapes or from artificial drying process. However, the most important feature of raisins from Málaga is their 'Moscatel' flavour with an intense retronasal smell.

Origin

Moscatel raisins production comes from the period of Roman rule, although it became famous in Al-Andalus. This is when raisins from La Axarquía became well-known. However, dry grapes reached their full potential in the last decades of the 19th century. This is when Moscatel wine and raisins became world famous. The history of Moscatel sand how it came to the Iberian Peninsula remains unclear.

Properties

The most prominent elements in raisins are boron and iron. The former one is a mineral which is crucial for our organism, above all for the bones. Due to its alkaline boron, this dried fruit plays an essential role in balancing acidity in human body. Raisins are rich in fibre and can act as constipation relief. Finally, they have antioxidant capacity thanks to their phenolic content.

Raisins Route

Because of the importance of Moscatel raisins, the area of La Axaquía has created a tourist route through the villages where they are produced. This Moscatel Raisins Route goes from Rincón de la Victoria through the villages of  Benagalbón, Moclinejo, Almáchar, El Borge and Cútar. The scenery in these places is related to Moscatel grapes production, as it encloses large areas of vineyards, and scattered traditional winepresses and grape drying spots.

Festivals

Food festivals happen at the end of Moscatel raisins production process, and this heritage produce has a very important role in them. Some of these celebrations are Unique Festivals in the Province of Málaga. One of the most important is celebrated in El Borge in the middle of September: Raisin Day. There you can also buy this fruit and see a demonstration of the entire process of turning grapes into raisins. Raisin Festival in La Viñuela is also important and it takes place at the same time; as well as Vineyard Festival in Moclinejo and Ajoblanco Festival in Almáchar.

Buys

If you want to buy Malaga raisins, you can do so from the producers that are members of Sabor a Málaga.

The wine route of the Malaga wineries

Reds, whites, sweets and rosés with international prestige. Many and well known are the wines of our province. For all those interested in knowing more about them, we invite you to visit our news item "Wine route: Malaga´s wine cellars".