Can I make raisins?
This lesson developed by Reach
Out!
Recommended Age: Preschool and Early Elementary
| Questions
|
|---|
| Do you believe that raisins are really
dried-up grapes?
|
| Can you make raisins?
|
What You Need
- Bunch of red or green seedless grapes
- Plate, cookie pan or baking dish
- Water to rinse grapes
- Container with a lid to put your grapes in after they turn into raisins!
- Piece of cheesecloth or clean piece of cotton like pillow case or sheet.
What You Do
- First, rinse off your grapes in water. Sometimes grapes have been
sprayed and you don't want to eat the chemicals!
- Pick the grapes off the bunch and remove any stems.
- Put the grapes on the plate, cookie pan, or baking dish. Spread them
out so they aren't touching each other.
- Put the cheesecloth or piece of clean pillow case or sheet over the top.
This is to keep away flies, bugs, and dust.
- Put the grapes where they will get lots of sunlight.
- After 3 or 4 days, see if the grapes are drying out and shrinking in
size. Squeeze them to see if they are getting dry. Taste one to see
if you like how it tastes. When you think they have dried out enough
for your taste, put them in an airtight container with a lid. The longer
you leave them out in the sun, the more they will dry out.
What Is Happening
Grapes have lots of moisture or liquid in them. When you leave the grapes
out in the sunlight, the liquid changes into a gas. When this happens, we
say that evaporation is going on. As the moisture evaporated, the grapes
shriveled up, got darker and seemed to dry up!
Try putting slices of banana, apples, or pears through this process. You'll
make banana, apple, or pear chips!