Both types are sun-dried. Thompson raisins are dried naturally in the vineyards but the Sultana raisins are first dipped into a solution (water, potassium carbonate and olive oil) before being laid on the drying beds, this procedure enables a quicker drying period and therefore Sultanas raisins have a lighter brownish color than the  dark brown “raisins” or Thompson raisins. Sultanas and raisins are Turkey’s traditional export products, and is one of the region’s major source of wealth. More than 57.000 families’ major income in the Aegean Region of Turkey comes from sultana/raisin production making Turkey the world’s largest exporter of dried grapes.. Despite their small size, sultanas and raisins are packed with energy and rich in fiber, vitamins (especially B1 & B2) , minerals and inulin. Latest studies show that inulin helps fight and prevent some types of cancer.