When it comes to raisins, there are generally two groups of people: those that love them and those that believe they ruin a perfectly good cinnamon bagel. But whether you find these wrinkly fruits irresistible, or believe they should have stayed out in the sun where people found them, it’s hard to deny the impact these sweet snacks have had on history, pop culture, and cuisine. We’re celebrating National Raisin Day on April 30.
Raisins show up throughout history and literature as a healthy, transportable snack for everyone from the Egyptians to Christopher Columbus to George Washington.
And of course, those little red raisin boxes are a classic symbol of childhood.
