Mixed Dried Fruit in place or Sultanas/Raisins??

[HLA91]

Hi everyone

I was in Asda earlier and I picked up some sultanas for an upcoming Barley wine, and I noticed Mixed Dried Fruit next to the sultanas. Upon closer inspection they contain Sultanas 44%, Currants 22%, Seedless Raisins 22%, Candied citrus peel 10%, orange peel, sugar, lemon peel etc. Now this is around 67p (Sultanas are 87p) and I was wondeirng if it would be any good to use in place of pure sulatanas, only issue I can see is that it contains Pot Sorb so I will probably have to chop and boil in a pint of water for 10min to drive that off.

Many thanks

Harry Angell

 

[Barkie]

I don't see why not. Oranges make WOW and there's citric acid in lemon juice, CJ Berry lists raisins, currants and sultanas under Dried fruit and has a Mixed Fruit wine recipe. I expect the vine fruit would overcome any flavours from the mixed peel. I doubt there would be pectin to worry about and would think it will still smell fine, it's a very small amount. I'd try it once just to see. Have you got an Aldi or Lidl near you to see what prices their dried fruit is?

 

[HLA91]

I decied to have a go and use Mixed so yesterday I started off a Peach, Wheat & Mixed Fruit wine.
3 x Tins of Asda smart price peaches
500g Sultanans
500g Mixed Dried Fruit (Boiled)
400g Wheat
Fingers crossed