Persimmon Fruit
The persimmon is Sweet, flavorful and packed with antioxidants and nutrients, it’s no wonder that the persimmon fruit was dubbed “the divine fruit” by the Greeks. This fruit is equal parts versatile, nutritious and delicious, accounting for its widespread popularity in many Asian countries. It is also becoming increasingly common in other areas around the world and is now featured in many seasonal pies, cakes and desserts.
In addition to bringing plenty of flavor to dishes, it can also provide you with some serious health benefits, from promoting regularity to dropping cholesterol and blood pressure. Not to mention, it can be a delicious way to meet your needs for many important nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and manganese.
What is a persimmon?
The persimmon is an edible fruit that comes from the persimmon tree. The tree is a member of the Ericales order of plants, which also includes Brazil nuts, blueberries and tea. Although there are several varieties of persimmon fruit, the most commonly cultivated comes from the Japanese persimmon fruit tree, known by its scientific name of Diospyros kaki.
There are two main types of persimmon fruit: astringent and non-astringent. Hachiya persimmons are the most common kind of astringent persimmon fruit. Astringent persimmons contain a high concentration of tannins and can have an unpleasant taste if consumed before they are fully ripe. Once ripened and soft, however, they develop a delicious sweet and sugary flavor.
Non-astringent persimmons, on the other hand, are sweeter and contain a lower amount of tannins. In fact, non-astringent varieties like fuyu persimmons can be enjoyed even before they are fully ripe. The non-astringent persimmon taste is usually described as sweet and slightly crunchy.
These fruits can be eaten raw, cooked or dried. They are commonly added to everything from salads to baked goods and more.
In addition to being incredibly versatile, they are also high in many important nutrients and antioxidants and have a long list of potential health benefits that they can provide.
Benefits
Loaded with antioxidants
Promotes regularity
Supports healthy vision
Reduces cholesterol levels
Decreased inflammation
Lowers blood pressure
How to Eat Persimmons
If you’ve never tried it before, you may be wondering how to eat a persimmon. The good news is that it’s actually pretty simple; the skin is very thin and entirely edible, so you can simply wash it off and eat it like an apple.
If you’re eating an astringent persimmon like a Hachiya, make sure you wait until it’s softened and fully ripe to avoid a mouth full of tannins. For non-astringent persimmons, go ahead and enjoy when it’s orange and still a bit firm. Just be sure to discard any of the seeds found in the center of the fruit.
You can also use persimmon as an ingredient for other dishes as well. It’s great for boosting the flavor of salads or naturally sweetening up desserts while still providing some extra nutrients as well.
Ideas on how to enjoy
Walnut Cake With Persimmons and Pomegranate
Citrus and Persimmon Salad
Source: Dr Axe