TimXlb08387347 at 17:32, 24 January 2025

2025-01-24T17:32:04Z

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{{Short description|Type of raisins variety from Maharashtra, India}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name = Sangli raisins (सांगली बेदाणे)
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| alternative names = Sangli Bedana
| description = Sangli raisins is a dried grapes variety produced in Maharashtra
| type = Dried grapes
| area = Sangli district
| country = [[India]]
| registered = 18 May 2016
| material =
| official website ={{URL|https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/490|ipindia.gov.in}}}}

'''Sangli raisins''' is a variety of [[raisin]] produced in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Maharashtra]] in the [[Sangli district]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Compensation sought as raisin prices drop in Sangli |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/compensation-sought-as-raisin-prices-drop-in-sangli/articleshow/100317372.cms |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=18 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Ayesha |title=GI tag: It's all about regionalism, economics, stupid |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2017/Nov/18/gi-tag-its-all-about-regionalism-economics-stupid-1704871.html |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The New Indian Express |date=19 November 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Include Kolhapur jaggery in midday meal plan: APMC to state government |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/include-kolhapur-jaggery-in-midday-meal-plan-apmc-to-state-government/articleshow/104097720.cms |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=2 October 2023}}</ref> Sangli District is located in the western part of Maharashtra, situated in the Managanga River-bed. The district is surrounded by the [[Warana River|Warana]] and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] rivers. The Krishna s through the district for 105 km. The region's monsoon rains, fertile soil, and cool climate make it suitable for growing grapes. The major raisin-producing areas are [[Tasgaon]], [[Miraj]], [[Palus, Maharashtra|Palus]], and [[Kadegaon]].<ref name=":1" /> Sangli district holds the top position as the largest raisin-producing district in India with 70% of total production.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":4">{{cite news |title=Grape growers of Maha crushed under bunch of concerns |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/maharashtra-grape-farmers-face-heavy-losses-and-unresolved-challenges-ahead-of-elections/articleshow/115343872.cms |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=16 November 2024}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{cite web |title=Economics of production of raisins in Sangli district of Maharashtra |url=https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2022/vol11issue11S/PartW/S-11-11-269-743.pdf |website=The Pharma Innovation Journal 2022; S |access-date=9 January 2025}}</ref>

Under its [[Geographical Indications in India|Geographical Indication]] tag, it is referred to as "Sangli raisins".<ref name=":7" />

==Name==
Sangli raisins are a prized agricultural produce in Sangli and so named after it. Locally it is known as "Sangli Bedana/Kishmish" in the state language of [[Marathi language|Marathi]]. There are two main types of raisins: Bedana/Kishmish, which is produced by drying seedless grapes, and Manuka/Munnakka, which is made by drying grapes that have seeds.<ref name=":11" />

==Description==
Sangli raisins have a distinct characteristic: each raisin remains separate. The region's geological and weather conditions, with low humidity and high temperatures, make it ideal for drying grapes naturally. Sangli raisins are famous for their uniform appearance, with a golden-green or golden-yellow color and smooth texture. They are also uniform in size and round in shape. The taste is pleasingly sweet without any sugar coating. The texture is intact with fewer wrinkles and higher pulp content. The skin is soft and thin with the golden green coloured uniform sized Sangli raisin melts in the mouth.<ref name=":7">{{cite news |title=Seven agriculture products get GI tag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/seven-agriculture-products-get-gi-tag/articleshow/52579129.cms |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=4 June 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Sangli Raisins |url=https://ipindia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/IPOJournal/1_84_1/gi-journal-78.pdf |website=Intellectual Property India }}</ref>

India's first export potential project center for raisins was established in Miraj in 2013. Tasgaon has a large market for raisins, with auctions held regularly.<ref name=":4" /> The export center is located in [[Khanapur (Vita)|Khanapur]]. Raisin production began in Tasgaon around 40-45 years ago. Initially, dehydration chambers were used to dry grapes. Later, the method was refined, and solar energy was used for drying. The Sangli region produces high-quality raisins, with an annual production of around 1.25 lakh tonnes. About 30-40% of the production is exported. Tasgaon has over 100 raisin trading centers and 60-65 cold storages.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jadhav |first1=Radheshyam |title=Glut-hit raisin market eyes festival season |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/glut-hit-raisin-market-eyes-festival-season/article32946362.ece |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=BusinessLine |date=26 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Include Kolhapur jaggery in midday meal plan: APMC to state government |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/include-kolhapur-jaggery-in-midday-meal-plan-apmc-to-state-government/articleshow/104097720.cms |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=2 October 2023}}</ref> The district has around 60,000 acres of grape plantations, specifically for raisin production. The types of raisins produced in Sangli include green, yellow, and black.<ref name=":1" />

The weather conditions in Sangli, with high temperatures and low humidity, are favorable for raisin production. The grape varieties used for raisin production are specifically selected for their quality and characteristics. The main varieties include [[Thomson seedless]], Manikchaman, Sonaka, and Tas-a-Ganesh.<ref name=":7" /> Drying grapes is a critical process that involves reducing the water content and increasing the sugar content.<ref>{{cite news |title=Entrepreneurial behaviour of raisin producers in Sangli district of Maharashtra |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378122540 |access-date=9 January 2025 |agency=ResearchGate GmbH.}}</ref> Australian dipping treatment is used to remove the waxy layer from the grapes, making the drying process faster.<ref name=":1" />

The Sangli raisin variety is known for its uniform size and round shape. The region's unique climate and soil conditions contribute to the high quality of the raisins. The farmers in Sangli have developed a method of drying grapes under sheds, protecting them from direct sunlight. This method helps preserve the natural color and texture of the raisins.<ref name=":1" />

==Geographical indication==
It was awarded the [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI) status tag from the [[Geographical Indication Registry (India)|Geographical Indications Registry]], under the [[Government of India|Union Government of India]], on 18 May 2016 and is valid until 21 July 2034.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maharashtra raisins |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/490 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=10 January 2025}}</ref>

Maharashtra Rajya Draksh Bagaitdar Sangh from [[Sangli]], proposed the GI registration of Sangli raisins. After filing the application in July 2014, the raisins was granted the GI tag in 2016 by the Geographical Indication Registry in [[Chennai]], making the name "Sangli raisins" exclusive to the raisins produced in the region. It thus became the first raisins variety from India and the 18th type of goods from Maharashtra to earn the GI tag.<ref>{{cite news |title=GI tag conserves fragrance, rich taste of Maharashtra's 7 agri products |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/gi-tag-conserves-fragrance-rich-taste-of-maharashtras-7-agri-products/articleshow/51638690.cms |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=1 April 2016}}</ref>

The GI tag protects the raisins from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

==See also==
* [[Sangli turmeric]]
* [[Kolhapur jaggery]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Maharashtrian cuisine]]
[[Category:Economy of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Sangli district]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Maharashtra]]

Sangli raisins - Revision history

TimXlb08387347 at 17:32, 24 January 2025