Black Raisins

Black raisins are dried dark grapes with a soft, chewy texture and a sweet taste. In Lebanese kitchens they are often added to rice dishes, stuffings and pilafs, scattered over desserts such as rice pudding or meghli, stirred into breakfast oats, or eaten by the handful with nuts as a simple snack. They also work well in baked goods, salads and homemade trail mixes. At Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf, black raisins are on the shelf by the kilo, alongside other nuts and dried goods. As a package-free grocery store, Dekenet Al Nes encourages customers to bring their own containers or bags and take just the amount they need, which helps cut plastic waste and single-use packaging.