Profile on: Persimmon

Following on from our Profile on: Star Fruit today we bring you a profile on the persimmon. They are currently being included in our Fresh Range boxes, so read on to find out more about this popular fruit! 

What is it?
Persimmon is a fruit, butis often mistaken for a tomato! Its popularity has jumped over the past few years, and is delicious when ripe.

What does it look like?
It looks like a small, rather flat tomato capped by a calyx. The colour ranges from light yellow-orange to dark red-orange. The calyx is easy to remove when the fruit is ripe. There are two varieties sold in Western countries - one with a flat base, and one with a tapered base. These varieties eat differently, so be careful! 

Other names?
Persimmon is Latin for "food for the gods". Also known as Sharon Fruit, a name which was given to one of the varieties grown in Israel.

Where's it from?
It hails from Japan - it's their national fruit, but the biggest producer is China, making over 43% of the world production. Other major producers are Brazil, Republic of Korea, and Azerbaijan.

How do I eat it?
As above, the two varieties of persimmon eat differently, so you have to first establish which the persimmon is. The two sold in the West are Fuyu which are sweet (non-astringent), and are eaten when firm. These are squat with a flat base. Hachiya persimmons are astringent when unripe, and can only be eaten when completely soft. These are longer and taper to a blunt point. If in doubt, assume the fruit is astringent!

If you have a sweet persimmon, eat when firm and crisp. A ripe persimmon is orange or deep orange-red. If it is green, do not eat it! If you have an overripe persimmon, it can be eaten with a spoon. You can eat the skin, but always wash and prepare the fruit first.

If you have an astringent persimmon, leave it to rip completely. They must be eaten when soft, almost bursting into mush. The skin should be smooth and semi-translucent, with a deep orange colour. If you eat an astringent persimmon before it is ripe, you may get a numbing sensation, due to its astringency. This is temporary, and eating or drinking something will help it go away.

What does it taste like? 
Both varieties of persimmon have a sweet, honeyed flavour.

What are the health benefits?
 The persimmon is moderately high in calories (approx. 70 calories per 100g), but it contains very little fat. They contain anti-oxidants, and have been touted to improve eye health; reduce signs of ageing; boost digestion and the immune system; aid in weight loss; and even help your body heal faster and reduce inflammation.

We think these fruits would make an interesting addition to any office fruit delivery! Add them to your box here.

Have you tried persimmons? Let us know what you think @office_fruit!