I've never seen the supermarket look so orange or filled with oranges. That's my indication that autumn is drawing to a close. And to think I nearly missed out on the most amazing fruit this season. My first thought was a sun-burnt tomato but that was impossible in this weather. Then I thought maybe a hybrid of some sorts. Yep, I was pretty lost. If you haven't figured out what fruit I'm referring to, then like I was, you're in for a sweet surprise.
Persimmons are abundant in autumn and when ripe, literally burst their skins like water balloons. The insides of this particular species are soft, pulpy and sticky sweet. Let's talk nutrients. Here in China it's said, 'Only eat an apple a day, if you can't find a persimmon' meaning it is basically twice as nutritious as your average fruit. What persimmons lack in copper and iron, they make up for in Vitamin C (daily requirement in just 100g). While you ponder on how to make persimmons a part of your life, take a glance at the table below.
Nutritional value per 25g of fruit
Vitamins (mg)
|
Minerals (µg)
|
||
A (µg)
|
20
|
Calcium
|
9
|
B1
|
0.02
|
Iron
|
0.2
|
B2
|
0.02
|
Phosphate
|
23
|
B6
|
0.06
|
Potassium
|
151
|
B12 (µg)
|
-
|
Sodium
|
0.8
|
C
|
30
|
Copper
|
0.06
|
D
|
-
|
Magnesium
|
19
|
E
|
1.12
|
Zinc
|
0.08
|
Biotin (µg)
|
63
|
Selenium
|
0.24
|
K (µg)
|
-
|
||
P (µg)
|
-
|
||
Carotene
|
0.12
|
||
Folate - B9 (µg)
|
18
|
||
Niacin - B3
|
0.28
|
||
Pantothenic acid -B5
|
0.3
|
Persimmons are also great for the healthy function of your heart, lungs and stomach and removes 'heat' from your system, a necessity for us Chongqing residents. But as tempting as it is to do otherwise, only consume after a meal, using as little skin as possible.
Here's a little tip: If you can find this fruit in your area, freeze the pulp and make yourself a moist, lush fruit cake all year round. With health and taste in one bite, you can't go wrong.
 |
| Dried persimmon snack |
Here's a little tip: If you can find this fruit in your area, freeze the pulp and make yourself a moist, lush fruit cake all year round. With health and taste in one bite, you can't go wrong.
