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Where can I buy really nice sultanas?

11 replies

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/10/2023 11:57

For a Christmas cake. I only like the lighter fruits so no raisins or currants.
I saw on tv someone ( guest presenter who makes cakes) that the secret is the best raw ingredients.
I’m thinking I’ll bypass the pre packed dry fruit and up the ante.

Online or health food shops? Anywhere else?

TIA

OP posts:
Whoopsadaisydownagain · 25/10/2023 12:01

The answer is to soak them . Your recipe might say in brandy possibly overnight , but I get my fruit ready a few days before making and soak for at least 3/4 days shaking fruit daily and adding more brandy. Cover bowl in cling film or foil.
Another way if wanting non alcohol is fruit juice , Apple juice is quite nice.

Finfinfin · 25/10/2023 12:06

I got good ones from M&S. 1kg Turkish Sultanas. They have good reviews on the Ocado website if you want to have a read.

I simmer them with red wine, sugar, butter and spices for a few minutes and then leave them to cool overnight before adding the whole lot to the cake mixture.

Ariela · 25/10/2023 13:06

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-vine-fruit-mix/067395-34191-34192 I use this vine fruit mix & chopped dried apricots to make mine.
Soak in a decent red wine (the rest is yours, obviously, hence get a decent one) with butter, sugar & spices then bring to a gentle boil for 20 mins. Cool overnight &use.

Waitrose & Partners

Buy quality groceries and wine from Waitrose & Partners

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-vine-fruit-mix/067395-34191-34192

marylou25 · 25/10/2023 13:36

Golden sultanas are usually available in most big supermarkets.

I went that route years ago of the quality ingredients after hearing similar from a well known tv personality, bought fancy expensive dried fruits and real peel that you had to cut up yourself (which is very difficult as it's so stick, scissors is the way to go!) Went the whole hog with all the expensive stuff, end result zero discernible difference to a standard fruit cake! I find the spices are the main flavouring agent in a rich fruit cake and they mask the other ingredients so I found it mattered little whether the fruits were dear or cheap the cake tasted roughly the same. That said I like the look of a lighter cake so use a good bit of the golden sultanas and no currants as they can be gritty little things no matter how expensive you go for them.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/10/2023 13:37

I soak in Amarretto , it is delicious and almondy

I’ll have a look at the M&S ones, I,m after just sultanas rather than a mix

A longer soak in alcohol is probably in order, this baker on telly said they soaked but didn’t feed the cake.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/10/2023 13:41

I don’t use spices in mine either ( just personal taste, and it’s only me that eats it at home) and fine grated lemon/orange rind.

OP posts:
JPA · 25/10/2023 14:05

You could shake things up a bit and leave out all/most of the sultanas. If it's a lighter cake you're after then just substitute with dried apple, pear, apricot etc. I'm thinking along the lines of a dundee fruit cake rather than the usual rich black. Any spirit you choose should work too.

Ibravedaflood · 25/10/2023 14:06

There really is no such thing op..
<shudders at thought >..

Crumpleton · 25/10/2023 14:19

I've just prepared the fruit mix for my Christmas cake and don't like currants/raisins so it's a mix of sultanas, cherries and mixed peel.

I've never bought top brand fruit but I do however follow a recipe from Mary Berry and soak the fruit for 3 days using alcohol.

WeirdPookah · 25/10/2023 17:36

Try looking in Asian supermarkets, the green sultanas are so delicious, I love them.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/10/2023 19:34

WeirdPookah · 25/10/2023 17:36

Try looking in Asian supermarkets, the green sultanas are so delicious, I love them.

That’s worth a try thanks. I’m in East London so I’m sure I’ll find a shop.
I did read that Turkish sultanas are good but Australian are supposed to be better.

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