Everything you need to know about persimmons
Our fruit bowls are always growing and evolving with different types of fruits. From the kiwi fruit to the pomegranate we are increasingly finding more and more fruits to normalise and enjoy on a daily basis. The Persimmon has become increasingly popular in recent years and more people are discovering this golden orange fruit.
The persimmon originated from China and were initially introduced to Korea, Japan, India and Pakistan and then later during the 19th century introduced to Europe, The USA and the rest of the world. Persimmons belong to the Ebenaceae family and grow on trees with glossy dark green coloured leaves and blossom flowers in the Spring. These trees can sometimes grow up to seventy feet tall. Persimmons are sometimes compared to apricots and plums in texture however persimmons have a slightly sweet vanilla like flavour that can be consumed in both sweet and savoury foods. Permissions can be eaten in a variety of ways, such as dry, fresh, raw or cooked. They can be used to make puddings, muffins, jams, spreads, tart, salads, rice paper rolls, the list goes on!!
These vibrant fruits are not only tasty but they contain a tone of health benefits. Permissions are very high in beta carotene, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, vitamin A, E, C, potassium, magnesium and sodium. Because of this, eating these delicious fruits can help maintain a healthy immune system, can help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. Persimmons are also said to improve metabolic activity as they contain elements of the B complex of vitamins like pyridoxine, folic acid and thiamin which are all essential elements of the metabolic functions throughout the body. These elements ensure that the body's systems are functionally effectively and efficiently, which therefore increases your overall metabolism. Studies have also found that they also contain twice as much dietary fibre per 100 grams than apples. The skin on a persimmon is 100% edible so you can simply eat it like it is an apple.
Permissions are very high in Vitamin A, a nutrient that is essential in maintaining good eye health. Eating one permission provides just over fifty percent of the daily requirement of vitamin A. Some common signs of vitamin A deficiency include dry eyes and struggle to see clearly in the dark. To improve this, it is important to increase your consumption of foods that are rich in vitamin A into your diet.
Today, despite being relatively unknown in many parts of the world, the persimmon is a treasured fruit by many. Its recognized as the national fruit in japan and is an essential ingredient in many dishes around the world.
