applied sciences Review Mediterranean Raisins/Currants as Traditional Superfoods: Processing, Health Benefits, Food Applications and Future Trends within the Bio-Economy Era Aikaterini Papadaki 1,† , Vasiliki Kachrimanidou 1,*,† , Iliada K. Lappa 1 , Effimia Eriotou 1, Nikolaos Sidirokastritis 2 , Adamantia Kampioti 2 and Nikolaos Kopsahelis 1,* 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, Ionian University, 28100 Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece;
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[email protected] (N.K.); Tel.: +30-26710-26505 † Equal contribution as first author. Abstract: This review elaborates on the significance of Mediterranean raisins, focusing particularly on indigenous Greek varieties (e.g., Zante currants) as a previously overlooked traditional food, currently brought on the spotlight, resulting from the increased consumers’ awareness to improve wellness through diet modification. Recent studies on the effect of processing steps on final quality, along with findings on the potential health benefits raisins and currants elicit, are also presented. The development of novel functional food products to further exploit the nutritional value and the Citation: Papadaki, A.; bioactive compounds of raisins is evidenced in view of indicating potential food industry applications. Kachrimanidou, V.; Lappa, I.K.; Moreover, valorization options of waste and by-product streams obtained from processing facilities Eriotou, E.; Sidirokastritis, N.; are also proposed. Conclusively, raisins and currants should be further enhanced and incorporated Kampioti, A.; Kopsahelis, N.