Persimmon
Ripe persimmons are not only sweet as candy, but contain an abundant amount of vitamins, carotenes and minerals.
Persimmons...
- ...boost your immune system.Persimmons’ abundant amount of carotenes, vitamin C and vitamin E helps support a healthy immune system.
- ...are easy to digest.Persimmons contains very little fruit acid, making it a great fruit for those with sensitive stomachs.
- ...are good for your nervous system.Persimmons have vitamin B and minerals such as magnesium, potassium and phosphorus that are good for the nervous system.
- ...help strengthen your bones.Persimmons contains relatively high levels of vitamin K; a medium-sized fruit (200 grams) contains almost 30 percent of the daily requirement. This is particularly beneficial for women, for whom the vitamin can stops bone loss in older age.
- ...aid in digestion.The soft, water-rich flesh of a ripe persimmon as well as its high fiber content (6 grams per 200 grams of fruit) can help alleviate constipation and regulate digestion.
- ...help protect your cells.The high content of carotenes in persimmons can help protect our body cells from harmful influences.
- ...are high in vitamin A.Even a small persimmon (100 grams) provides enough vitamin A to cover the average daily requirement. Vitamin A is integral in supporting skin and eye health.
What You Should Know About Persimmons
Persimmons grow on bushes or trees, and ripen late in the year, long after most other fruits have already been harvested. They’re particularly popular in Spain and Italy, where you often find them growing on trees throughout the countryside.
Origins
Persimmons were originally cultivated in Asia, mainly in Japan, China and Korea. Today persimmons grow in warm climates all around the world.
Seasonality
Persimmons are in season from October through February.
Flavor
The orange flesh of a ripe persimmon is very sweet, and tastes like a mixture of tomato and apricot. Unripe persimmons, on the other hand, still contain a lot of tannins and genreally taste bitter and tart.
Find all our persimmon recipes here.
How Healthy Are Persimmons?
With up to 19 percent glucose or fruit sugar, persimmons are rightly considered to be extremely nutritious. Persimmons are also rich in vitamins C and A.
| Persimmon Nutritional Info (100 g) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 72 |
| Protein | 0.6 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16.5 g |
| Fiber | 2.5 g |
Shopping and Cooking Tips
Shopping
Ripe persimmons are very soft, and almost mushy to the touch. When buying them, make sure the fruits are packed individually and protected from pressure. It is also important that the skin look flawless and not show any brown spots or pressure marks. A persimmon has the perfect degree of ripeness when the flesh of the fruit shimmers through its think sin.
You can also easily plant your own persimmons in your garden or on your balcony.
Storage
Because ripe persimmons are so sensitive, you should not leave them lying around for long after purchase. Eat them as soon as possible.
Preparation
Simply rinse the persimmon under warm water and towel them dry.
What To Make With Persimmons
It’s best to eat persimmons fresh-- simply cut them in half and spoon out the sweet flesh. Persimmons that are not yet fully ripe are a little firmer and well-suited for salads. Very ripe persimmons are vitamin-rich and perfect for jams or drinks such as milkshakes or smoothies.
