If you ask your friends what fruit they associate with winter, most will, of course, tell you about tangerines, their New Year’s smell and bright, un-December sunny color.
And only a few will remember the sweet, tart and also quite orange persimmon.
- Persimmon is a very romantic fruit. Its name has several translations and each of them is beautiful. In ancient Greek, persimmon means “food of the gods” or “divine fire”, from Latin it means “heart apple”.
- Persimmon is not actually a fruit, it is a berry and it grows on trees or large shrubs (depending on the variety).
- Today, more than 700 varieties of persimmon are known.
- There are several exotic types of persimmon, one of them is called “chocolate pudding”. The thing is that when ripe, the berries acquire a black color and taste, as can be understood from the name, of chocolate.
- The antibacterial properties of persimmons protect against various diseases, in particular those caused by various types of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
- Persimmon is rich in vitamins C, E, A, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, iodine and is indicated for vitamin deficiency. In terms of antioxidant content, it is not inferior to green tea. To get all the benefits of the berry, it is recommended to consume it with milk.
- Persimmons have a low glycemic index of 45, which means that your blood glucose level will rise slowly after a persimmon snack, allowing you to feel full for much longer than after eating, say, sweets or baked goods.
- Persimmon is known as an effective sedative. The provitamins it contains can normalize the nervous system and increase performance in a matter of minutes.
- 100 g of persimmon contains only 53 kcal, so this berry is more than a dietary product.
- The magnesium contained in this berry helps remove salt from the body and has a beneficial effect on kidney function. It also reduces the likelihood of stones forming in them.
- Persimmons make excellent salads. Try tossing persimmon slices with a salad mix, toasted almonds and Parmesan cheese. Or, if you are a fan of original recipes, try goat cheese salad.
Mix olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice and a little salt. Cut the persimmon and peeled tangerine slices into small pieces, mix them, pouring the dressing over them. Sprinkle some goat cheese on top and season with pepper.
Attention! Persimmon is contraindicated for people who have undergone open surgery on the intestines and stomach, as well as for those who suffer from chronic diseases of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
The reason is a large amount of tannin in the berry, the same substance that gives persimmons a tart, astringent taste.
