Persimmon: The Sweet and Surprising Fruit

Have you ever seen an orange fruit that looks like a tomato but tastes super sweet? That’s a persimmon! These unique fruits are becoming more popular in the United States. Let’s learn all about persimmons, from how they grow to how you can eat them.

What Are Persimmons?

Persimmons are fruits that grow on trees. They’re round or oval and usually orange or reddish-orange in color. When ripe, they’re very sweet and have a soft, jelly-like inside. Persimmons are native to parts of Asia, but now they grow in many warm places around the world, including some parts of the USA.

Types of Persimmons

There are two main types of persimmons you might find in stores:

1. Fuyu Persimmons: These are shaped like tomatoes. They’re crisp and sweet, and you can eat them when they’re still firm.
2. Hachiya Persimmons: These are shaped more like acorns. They’re very astringent (which means they make your mouth feel dry) when unripe. You need to wait until they’re super soft before eating them.

Where Do Persimmons Grow?

Persimmon trees like warm weather. In the United States, they grow best in:

• California
• Texas
• Florida
• Some parts of the Southeast

Persimmon trees can grow pretty tall – up to 70 feet! They lose their leaves in the winter, and the fruits usually ripen in the fall.

The History of Persimmons

Persimmons have been around for a long time:

• They’re native to China, where people have been eating them for over 2000 years.
• Native Americans in the eastern United States ate wild persimmons long before Europeans arrived.
• Japanese farmers developed many of the varieties we eat today.
• Persimmons came to California in the 1800s.

Health Benefits of Persimmons

Persimmons aren’t just tasty – they’re good for you too! Here’s why:

1. Lots of Vitamins: They have vitamin A, which is good for your eyes, and vitamin C, which helps your immune system.
2. High in Fiber: Fiber helps your digestion and makes you feel full.
3. Antioxidants: These are things in food that help protect your body’s cells.
4. Low in Calories: A medium persimmon has about 70 calories, making it a good snack choice.
5. Heart Healthy: Some studies suggest that eating persimmons might be good for your heart.

How to Choose and Store Persimmons

Picking good persimmons at the store is important. Here’s what to look for:

• For Fuyu persimmons, choose fruits that are firm and have bright orange skin.
• For Hachiya persimmons, you can buy them when they’re still firm, but don’t eat them until they’re very soft.
• Avoid persimmons with bruises or broken skin.

To store persimmons:

• Keep firm persimmons on the counter until they’re ripe.
• Once ripe, you can keep them in the fridge for a few days.
• You can also freeze persimmon pulp to use later.

How to Eat Persimmons

There are many ways to enjoy persimmons:

1. Raw: Fuyu persimmons can be eaten like an apple. Just wash and bite in!
2. In Salads: Slice Fuyu persimmons and add them to salads for a sweet crunch.
3. Baked: You can bake persimmons into pies, cookies, or cakes.
4. Dried: Dried persimmons are a sweet, chewy snack.
5. In Smoothies: Add ripe persimmon to your smoothies for natural sweetness.
6. As a Spread: Very ripe Hachiya persimmons can be used like jam on toast.

Persimmon Recipes

Here are some easy ways to use persimmons in your cooking:Persimmon Smoothie

• Blend 1 ripe persimmon, 1 banana, 1 cup milk, and a handful of ice.

Persimmon Salad

• Slice 1 Fuyu persimmon and mix with lettuce, nuts, and your favorite dressing.

Baked Persimmon

• Cut a Fuyu persimmon in half, sprinkle with cinnamon, and bake until soft.

Growing Persimmons

If you live in a warm area, you might be able to grow your own persimmon tree:

• Persimmon trees need full sun and well-drained soil.
• They can take 3-5 years to start producing fruit.
• Most persimmon trees need both male and female trees to make fruit.
• They don’t need much pruning and are resistant to many pests.

Fun Facts About Persimmons

1. The word “persimmon” comes from an Algonquian language and means “dry fruit”.
2. In some cultures, people believe you can predict the weather by looking at persimmon seeds.
3. Persimmon wood is very hard and has been used to make golf club heads.
4. Some animals, like opossums and raccoons, love to eat persimmons.
5. There’s a town in Indiana called Persimmon Festival that celebrates these fruits every year.

Persimmons in Culture

Persimmons are important in many cultures:

• In China, persimmons are seen as a symbol of good luck.
• In Japan, dried persimmons are a traditional winter treat.
• In Korea, there’s a special tea made from dried persimmon leaves.
• In some parts of the USA, persimmon pudding is a popular dessert.

Potential Side Effects

While persimmons are generally safe to eat, there are a few things to be aware of:

1. Unripe Hachiya Persimmons: Eating unripe Hachiya persimmons can make your mouth feel very dry and uncomfortable.
2. Allergies: Some people might be allergic to persimmons. If you’ve never had one before, try just a little bit first.
3. Bezoars: Eating many unripe persimmons on an empty stomach might cause something called a bezoar, which is a hard mass in your stomach. This is very rare, but it’s why you should always eat ripe persimmons.

Conclusion

Persimmons are a delicious and nutritious fruit that’s worth trying. Whether you like them crisp like an apple or soft and sweet, there’s a persimmon for everyone.

They’re full of vitamins and can be eaten in many different ways. If you’ve never had a persimmon before, look for them in your local grocery store, especially in the fall.

Remember to choose Fuyu persimmons if you want to eat them right away, or wait for Hachiya persimmons to get very soft before enjoying. With their unique flavor and many health benefits, persimmons might just become your new favorite fruit!

Persimmon:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4817420/ – This is a comprehensive review on the phytochemicals and health benefits of persimmons.