Pick up any baking recipe where dried fruits are involved and there is no way of avoiding the three stalwarts of raisins, sultanas, and currants. There are other dried fruits such as dried cranberries, mixed peel, dates, and prunes but these three are the ones used extensively in traditional British and Irish cakes and puddings. You will find them in many guises but not least, they are the main players in both a Christmas cake or Christmas pudding, and Mince pies would be nothing without them. You will even find them in chutneys and curries, so without a doubt, they are one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen.

So what are these and are they interchangeable? Surely they are simply the same thing but a different color are all questions asked on the differences. But the answer is no. They, in fact, very different things and each brings their qualities to the baking party.

Plus, if you add to this the issue that different countries use different names and it can become even more confusing.