Persimmon or sharon fruit
Q: Is “sharon” fruit skin really edible which I read this weekend? If so why do we peel it?
A: The skin of the Persimmon or sharon fruit, like that of a apple, can be tough, and therefor is often removed, before eating. Like an apple though, the skin can be eaten.
Persimmon have been enjoyed as a fruit for a long time, known to the ancient Greeks as “the
fruit of the gods“. They are light yellow-orange to dark red-orange in colour. The calyx often remains attached to the fruit after harvesting, but becomes easier to remove as it ripens. They are high in glucose and possess various medicinal uses. It is a true berry by definition. Persimmons, especially the Israeli variety, contain very high levels of soluble tannins and are unpalatable if eaten before softening. These tannins disappear with ripening.
Israeli horticulturalists from the Sharon Valley transformed one variety of the fruit to one with commercial value and renamed it Sharon Fruit after the valley.
The Japanese Persimmon is the most widely cultivated species. Known as the sweet persimmon, it is ready to eat even when it’s firm as an apple. It ripens to varying degrees of softness, until it becomes transparent and jelly-like, making an excellent dessert mousse when mixed with cream.
Persimmon Recipes
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Tags: Persimmon, sharon fruit
May 26th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hello, I have never previously tasted a persimmon , but today I saw them in the supermarket and they looked very inviting. I was not disappointed when I got home and tried one – it was delicious! These fruit juse bear labels describing them as ‘Sweet Cape persimmon’ and I would be interested to know what variety they are!
Thankyou,
May 26th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
According to Hilary Biller of The times
“… Sharon Fruit …, it is one of the ‘new’ fruits to reach South Africa, thanks to an Israeli partnership with farmers in the Swellendam area, where the variety is grown. … Another group of farmers in the Stellenbosch, Piketberg and Wolseley areas grow another variety, which comes from Japan. It’s known as the sweet persimmon …”
June 2nd, 2010 at 1:38 pm
This week was the first time I tried this fruit – mouth watering and so delicious. Not good for those who are diabetics, as it pushes the glucose levels high but just couldn’t stop myself. I bought 2 boxes now and my family and friends love it.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Hi, me and my wife are trying out some fruits of our that we would like to become part of our healthy eating habits, for the benefit of our health since our work requires working late and a little bit stressful at that, I stumbled upon this fruit which I haven’t tried before, but after trying it a few months back I was hooked because of its nice sweet flavor.. I want to ask you if I can make it as a smoothie..can you suggest a recipe to make a drink out of it, can I add yoghurt to make it more nutritious? How about the Kiwi fruit? Is it ok if we eat the core and the seeds?
June 28th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Thank you for your inquiry. Have a look at our blog for more information on persimmon. The book Fruit and Nuts, see the review It is a mind of information regarding health benefits of the variety of fruits and what you can and cannot do with them. It is really worth while if you are serious about fruit and your health. Alternatively I suggest you talk to a dietitian.
July 13th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I love your site.